Horowhenua mayor Bernie Wanden Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Levin residents are feeling reassured by arrests made in connection with a spate of gang shootings in the Horowhenua town, although it is "still a concern" that those responsible remain at large, the district mayor says.
Police have made seven arrests in Levin in relation to firearms possession since they put a gang conflict warrant in place.
The warrant was put in place amid five shootings and after two people were seriously injured by gunshot wounds in just over a week.
Police said on Thursday they had seized guns and knives but the investigation, known as Operation Bath, was still trying to identify who was responsible for the shootings.
They would keep an increased presence in the town until they were satisfied tensions within the Nomads gang and the Mongrel Mob had eased.
Central District commander Superintendent Dion Bennett said both gangs were the focus of the operation, involving both internal and external conflict.
Mayor Bernie Wanden said it was still concerning those responsible remained at large, but the public knew police were on the case.
"The fact this person is still at large and they've not been arrested is still a concern obviously because we want this matter resolved and that person in custody as soon as possible.
"[But] it does give the community reassurance the police are being proactive in terms of making sure they are stopping these vehicles.
"The fact that they are discovering these weapons is disturbing in its own way, but hopefully it is also sending a clear signal to the gangs this sort of behaviour is not tolerated and they want to arrest the person who is responsible."
Wanden said the police presence around town was "very noticeable and obvious".
He said there had been "isolated" incidents involving the Nomads and Mongrel Mob over the years - "the odd drive by shooting" - but there was not a huge gang presence in the town.
"Generally it's very low key. If you walk around town you won't see any obvious signs that there is a gang presence in the town. It's a bit out of character and not really reflective of what the town is like at all."
