Spate of shootings in suburbs, inner city

Police, local leaders and the Government are grappling with a spate of shootings across Auckland this year that have escalated sharply this month.

Since the beginning of the year, there have been more than 20 reported shootings across Tāmaki Makaurau. They are not concentrated in any one part of the city.

The first reported shooting of this year was on January 4, in Manurewa. A person was taken to hospital and the public told police that shots were fired.

Some of the shootings have taken place in suburban streets, while others have been in the inner city at clubs and restaurants. In February and March, there were incidents at Shooters Saloon in Kingsland and in Fort St, where radio host Jay-Jay Feeney’s brother was among three people who were shot.

There were at least three shootings in April – in Pt England, Auckland Central and Mt Wellington – and the number ratcheted up to at least 13 shootings this month. Since Sunday, there have been 11 shootings, most of them on Tuesday night.

Fronting to the public yesterday, Police Minister Poto Williams said the shootings were a result of gang tensions that had been ‘‘simmering for years’’.

Daniel Newman, Auckland councillor for Manurewa-Papakura, said between shootings, ramraids, the impact of Omicron and the rising costs of living, locals were scared and frustrated.

‘‘There is a very heightened sense of concern that gun violence and organised crime is increasing, and this poses a threat to people’s personal security as well as their property.

‘‘People feel the Government and the police are struggling – rightly or wrongly, that is the perception.’’

He said he was often knocking on doors in the neighbourhood,

and most people he met were angry about the sense of lawlessness and danger around them.

Newman wants the Government and Parliament to give police extra tools for surveillance and pursuing prosecutions against organised crime.

Linda Cooper, Auckland councillor for Waitākere, said people were definitely scared.

One person whose house was shot at in Henderson had to move out while police assessed the crime scene, and was relying on community support for food and other basics, Cooper said.

Member of Parliament Vanushi Walters held a community meeting this week, where Cooper heard how stressed locals had become.

‘‘People were saying they are getting fed up with the ramraids, the shootings. It feels a bit lawless.

‘‘We know it is not just in West Auckland. It just shows you how widespread gangs are and that is what is scary for people.’’

Cooper said that before the local councils were amalgamated into the super-city, it was easier to design bespoke responses to community justice issues, especially for young people swept up in crime.

‘‘We could do more but we need the funding to go with it. We can’t magic money out of the air, you need people to do this stuff,’’ Cooper said.

‘‘There are a lot of volunteers out doing youth programmes and of course volunteers burn out eventually.’’