Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai is playing down concerns of gang conflicts in and around the city after two deaths in recent weeks.
A patched member of the Tribesman gang, John Harris, was shot and left at an ambulance station to die on Tuesday. Two weeks ago, Headhunter member Moses Mahanga also died from gunshot wounds.
Ms Mai says the deaths were isolated incidents.
"We're not battening down the hatches and being afraid in any way," she told Newshub.
"We certainly don't like this happening in our backyard, but there's no sense of panic or fear or anything like that through the members of the public."
Police say the incidents aren't related, but are concerned about tensions generated by methamphetamine dealing.
Mr Harris' death was "an internal incident between two members of the Tribesmen Motorcycle Club", Detective Inspector Kevin Burke said on Wednesday.
Newshub.
