A rousing haka has been performed on Puriri Street in Whanganui where a 27-year-old man was shot dead yesterday.
A member of the community, who did not want to be named, told 1 NEWS Black Power has strong connections to the area.
Police say the shooting was not a random attack and those involved were known to each other.
She said, "It just needs to stop. Enough is enough. They need to sit around the table".
The man who died is believed to be a Mongrel Mob member, and red bandanas have since been erected along Puriri Street.
Patched gang members also gathered at a church near a property which has been under police investigation throughout the day.
Deputy Whanganui Mayor Jenny Duncan has passed on her condolences to the family of the man who was killed.
"We really feel for this loss. A young man, a young father," Ms Duncan said.
She said everyone grieves in their own way and if putting up red bandanas is part of it, the council has no role to play in stopping them.
"It's not an element of the community that we want to see so much, but we respect that they need to go through the process."
Ms Duncan said she doesn't think gang tensions are rising in Whanganui, and that every area has its issues.
"We work with gangs around improving circumstances so this is a one-off, unfortunate incident," she said.
Ms Duncan said people should feel assured police are doing everything they can to keep the community safe and find those behind the shooting.
Police have confirmed the body has been removed from the scene.
SHARE ME