KEY POINTS:
New Zealand Post is suspending deliveries to an area plagued with gang violence because of fears for staff safety.
Eight people were arrested over the weekend in the wake of what was believed to be a gang-related shooting in the Hamilton suburb of Fairfield.
Two armed offenders squads and 25 police officers executed three search warrants in the city resulting in the arrests and the recovery of a semi-automatic shotgun and another weapon.
Now NZ Post says it is not willing to put its posties in the firing line and has suspended deliveries to Tennyson Rd, Emerson Pl and Dryden Rd.
It is the first time gang violence had prompted the suspension of mail.
Spokeswoman Fiona Mayo said one postie had been subjected to "inappropriate language" and no post would be delivered until at least Tuesday.
"There's quite an extreme situation in that particular area of escalating violence and a gang problem and recent police activity there.
"New Zealand Post felt it would just wait until things cooled off a little bit and we were very concerned for postie safety."
Ms Mayo said until Tuesday, affected residents could collect post from a mail centre in the central city.
About 50 letters a day were usually delivered to the three streets. "It's very likely we will be delivering again on Tuesday," Ms Mayo said.
Meanwhile, police say the eight people arrested face charges including unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, threatening to kill a police officer, possession of methamphetamine and possession of utensils for both cannabis and methamphetamine use.
No arrests had been made over the shooting in Tennyson Rd on Saturday, when two men got out of a red car and fired shots at a house before speeding away.
Fairfield residents said the area was home to several gangs, including the Mongrel Mob and Black Power.
- NZPA
