7. Question No. 7—PoliceHon MARK MITCHELL (National—Whangaparāoa) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 7—Police7. Hon MARK MITCHELL (National—Whangaparāoa) to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by her statement There is no doubt that our communities are feeling some incredible distress with the recent activities"; if so does she believe gang tensions have increased under her watch?Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister of Police): In answer to the first part of the question yes. In answer to the second on Friday I was briefed by Superintendent Jill Rogers in Auckland on the recent tensions between two gangs. Police have launched a major disruption and suppression operation in response to these tensions which have so far resulted in 22 search warrants supported by the armed offenders squad; 22 arrests; 37 charges laid; and 10 firearms seized along with 300 rounds of ammunition.Chris Bishop: Point of order Mr Speaker. The second leg of that question was "Does she believe gang tensions have increased under her watch?" I do not believe the Minister actually answered that question.SPEAKER: Well she certainly addressed it.Hon Mark Mitchell: How many gang-related shooting incidents have occurred in the last two weeks?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I understand that there have been 22 23 drive-by shootings.Hon Mark Mitchell: Would 22 or 23—SPEAKER: Order! Order! People should not interject when their own member's asking a supplementary.Hon Mark Mitchell: —drive-by shootings be indicative of a rise in gang tensions?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: As I've said before it's incredibly distressing that our communities are facing this but the Police are working diligently at pace to get on top of this particular issue. I support them and they are supported by this Government: record investment record training and record numbers of police on the beat. Imagine what it would be like if we still had the numbers that the National Party left us.Hon Mark Mitchell: What does she say to the 68.3 percent of Kiwis that think that she is soft on crime and does she think that result is reflective of the fact that she won't accept that gang tensions have increased under her watch?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: As I say we've had gang tensions as a feature of our community for well over 50 years. I support comments like those of Jarrod Gilbert who say that you shouldn't politicise the work of the police. Also I support the fact that whatever you do should be evidence-based. The community has a role to play in these episodes in that if they know they have information they should be sharing that with the Police. They can do so anonymously—0800 555 111; Crime Stoppers. The Police would welcome any information that the community has.Hon Stuart Nash: In recognition of the gang and organised crime issue did the Minister manage to get any support to address these issues in Budget 2022?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Yes we did: an extra $94 million on top of the record investment we have made in the Police Force this Budget but also building on the $450 million that we made in previous Budgets.Hon Mark Mitchell: In light of the enormous amount of investment the Minister and this Government is making why have we had 23 drive-by shootings in the last two weeks?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: That member may feel that he wants to criticise New Zealand Police and the diligent work that they are doing but I stand by them every single day of the week. I was in Auckland talking to the team that is leading the operation and they are working diligently and they are working hard. They are going into some very dangerous situations. That member should be backing police like I do."