A national operation by police that has seen nearly a thousand firearms seized and over 856 people arrested has been so successful it is being extended by six months.
Operation Tauwhiro was launched by police in February and focused on disrupting firearms-related violence by gangs. It was initially launched for six months by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster.
In that time 987 firearms have been seized, 856 criminals have been arrested and over $5 million of cash has been recovered.
Commissioner Coster announced on Friday the operation would be extended until March 1 next year.
“Operation Tauwhiro is suppressing gang tensions by ensuring that groups using firearms-related violence receive the immediate and focused attention of Police,” Coster said in a statement.
“The operation is also reducing harm by removing firearms from criminals and preventing them from getting firearms in the first place.”
“Police have been working to stop guns getting into the hands of criminal gangs and organised crime groups. This means working closely with our government partner agencies, with gun retailers, gun clubs and firearms licence holders to shut down the diversion of firearms from legitimate ownership to the possession of those involved in criminal activity and firearms-related violence."
The operation has also seen police work with communities to reduce, manage and mitigate the effect of organised crime and gun violence on whānau and communities.
This forms part of Police’s Organised Crime Strategy, launched in January 2021. A key element of the strategy is to address organised crime, its social drivers, and the harm it causes.
