Waikato's mayor is disappointed at a spate of gang violence across the region.
Police are investigating three deaths in the space of 14 days, which they believe were all targeted acts.
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Robert Nelson, Wayne Noda and Mitchell Paterson were all killed within a matter of weeks. Dozens of police officers are working on the separate investigations, but refuse to say whether they are all linked.
Mayor Allan Sanson says authorities are often fighting an uphill battle against gang violence.
"They find it very very difficult to deal with," he said. "I do know from personal experience they are working very very hard to try and curb that activity of the gangs."
Mr Sanson said he's alarmed by the killings, but gang violence is not only a problem in the Waikato.
"This is not unique to the Waikato region in any way or form. I think this is a problem we've got across our whole nation and I just don't know how we're going to curb this," he said.
He believes it's upsetting to see three people killed in situations associated with crime.
"It's just pretty disappointing to see that people have died in situations associated with crime," he said. "I just think our society needs to be aware of this sort of activity."
Newshub.
