The community of Ōpōtiki is grieving the loss of a well-known gang leader, with neighbouring schools shut for the week.
People having been lining up to attend the tangi of Steven Taiatini, the president of the Mongrel Mob Barbarians.
The 45-year-old was killed on Friday night on St John Street and there is now a heavy gang presence in the town.
Te Owai Gemmell is a Māori Warden in Ōpōtiki, and she spoke to Gyles Beckford.
