Waikato's Mayor says a flare up in gang tensions in his region is indicative of an endemic issue around the country.

In the last three weeks, three bodies have been found, all believed to be linked and gang-related.

The district's mayor, Allan Sanson, says it's only in the last couple of weeks that gangs have been especially raised with him.

He knows their activity is constant, but usually flies under the radar.

But he told Mike Hosking he's not worried if it's any worse in the Waikato; it just happens to have bubbled up there.

"You do see young members around from time to time. Their not out in the open as much as people might think, and these days, I think they are more covert than what they perhaps used to be 30 or 40 years ago."

LISTEN TO ALLAN SANSON TALK WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE