A nationwide expansion of tackling our gang problem is much needed.

Police say Operation Cobalt is being expanded, after having some success in Auckland.

Police Association President Chris Cahill told Mike Hosking our gang problem isn't just a metropolitan one.

He says provincial New Zealand has in some ways seen a bigger growth of those gangs.

Cahill says they gather in groups of 20 to 30 to intimidate people in those areas.

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