Illegal gun suppliers are in the sights of a big police campaign against organised crime, and gang members with firearms

Operation Tauwhiro will target those using them - and their gun source - to disrupt firearm-related violence - over the next six months.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says investigations will include the illegal manufacture, modification, and supply of firearms to gangs and organised crime groups.

He says violent groups harm our communities and they can expect to be under significant police attention.

Black Power member Denis O'Reilly told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's a good move. 

"If they take illegal guns off members of the Black Power, White Power, Grey Power or any association then good."

O'Reilly says any gun off the street is a good thing.

"We should be looking at gun crime in the same way that we look at Covid - treat it as a public health issue."