The Police Minister says officers are taking a hard line against any criminal offending in cyclone-affected regions.

59 people have been arrested so far for various offences in Hawke's Bay and Tairawhiti.

Minister Stuart Nash is calling on gang leaders to "pull their heads in," and stop members from taking advantage of their own communities during the disaster.

He told Mike Hosking that there are extra cops on the beat, and they're taking a zero tolerance approach to crime and gang activity.

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