Tauranga's mayor says Kiwis deported from Australia could be responsible for an increase in violent crime in his city.
Tenby Powell will host a public meeting on Thursday, after a double homicide, a fatal police shoot-out, and the discovery of a woman's body at a house last week.
He told Kerre McIvor deportees bring with them a level of sophistication we haven't seen in New Zealand.
"They bring with them also a level of violence which we really haven't seen and we are yet to truly understand in New Zealand."
He also says meth is one problem that could be contributing to the spate of violence. Powell says we need to tackle our country's meth problem in a different way.
"The Police are doing a great job. Tactically, we need as a country to look at this strategically. Meth is destroying the fabric of our society."
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