Extra police officers are being called to Northland to contend with a squeeze on resources from rising violent crime.
In the past three months, 90 officers from across the country have been brought in to work five-week shifts.
Northland District Commander Superintendent Matt Shroj says the region saw four homicides in quick succession, which was the tipping point.
He told Mike Hosking that the district's been in a much better place with this extra support - but these are busy people, and they have their own areas to get back to.
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The Mike Hosking Breakfast