Police have launched a homicide investigation. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The death of a man in Whakatāne on Sunday night followed a "gang-related disorder incident", police said on Monday evening.
The man, in his 20s, was taken to hospital with life threatening injuries around 9.40pm and pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
Police have launched a homicide investigation.
"Initial indications suggest there was a gang-related disorder incident before the man died," Detective Inspector Lew Warner said.
"We are committed to establishing what has occurred and locating those responsible for his death."
Police said they would like to speak to anyone in the Ruatoki area and "saw or heard anything suspicious" between 9pm and 9.45pm on Sunday.
"We would also like to hear from anyone with dashcam footage in the area at the time."
Warner said police "will not be tolerating any retaliatory gang-behaviour", and had acquired a gang conflict warrant under the Search and Surveillance Act. The warrants were introduced earlier this year.
A forensic post-mortem was due to take place on Tuesday.
Anyone who has information is asked to contact police on 105, or online, using 'Update Report', and referring to file number 231211/5404. Information can also be passed on to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.