The Bay of Plenty's gang problems are being seen as something police can't solve on their own.

A homicide investigation's continuing today, after two men were shot dead near Tauranga.

Police say the 32-year-old and 43-year-old knew each other.

They haven't said if the shootings are gang-related or not.

Gang expert Jarrod Gilbert told Mike Hosking gangs exist in certain lower socio-economic parts of our communities, which aren't touched by things like whether the unemployment level is high or low.

"This is something we need to address but police aren't equipped to deal with those types of issues."

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