A suspicious fire in Rotorua has been linked with a series of gunshots in Rotorua on Thursday, believed to be prompted by rising gang tensions in the region.
Police say shots were fired at four separate addresses between midnight and 10am on Thursday in the Western Heights and Fordlands regions.
A house on Turner Dr was also set ablaze shortly after midnight in an arson incident.
The disturbances are being attributed to tensions between two factions of the Black Power gang.
"Hostility between both parties has been simmering in the city since 2010," a police spokesperson says.
"Over that same period police have run a number of investigations into the gang and more than 20 gang members have been given custodial sentences as a result of those investigations."
Police say a "thorough investigation" is being carried out into Thursday's violence.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Bay of Plenty police on (07) 348 0099, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Newshub.
