A town meeting will be held tonight to discuss the prospect of the West Coast town of Karamea losing its only police officer.
The loss of the policing role in the town is among changes proposed in a review of policing on the West Coast.
The nearest constable would be an hour's drive away.
Jenny Roumieu, one of two nurse specialists in the area, said having a local police officer helped deter petty crime.
She said it could already be difficult trying to keep things calm during an emergency in the region's north, when it can take up to three hours for police to arrive.
Another town meeting will be held on Monday night.