Residents of Koutu have banded together in support after a violent brawl in the suburb shocked people into action.
Now, the residents are looking to set up an advocacy group to help stop similar incidents from happening.
Koutu resident and Rotorua identity Kingi Biddle said a community meeting was called after a man ended up in a serious condition in hospital after what was thought to be a gang fight in the suburb on September 30.
Police have said the fight involved a large number of people and weapons.
When police arrived, a 34-year-old man was found lying unconscious in a driveway after being hit by a car.
The man spent three days in Rotorua Hospital and was now recovering at home.
The brawl involved a group of a dozen men armed with baseball bats, fence palings and shovels attacking each other in the street, ending up at a residential property on Koutu Rd.
Mr Biddle said the incident sparked concern among Koutu residents, and the meeting was set up to encourage them to have their say about ways to keep their community safe.
He said at least 100 people packed Tumahaurangi meeting house on Thursday night.
Mr Biddle did not believe Koutu had a gang problem but thought the meeting was necessary to clear the air.
"It was really good, people had an opportunity to share and talk about the incident and other things happening in and around their neighbourhood."
Mr Biddle said family members of the people involved in the brawl were at the meeting and told those attending the incident was not gang related.
"And we accept that ... it really cleared the air. People felt they could get up and tell everyone what was going on ... it was an awakening for us as well," Mr Biddle said.
He said some residents were concerned for their personal safety and those attending were keen to set up a neighbour support group in the near future.
"We are going to call another meeting in the coming weeks where we will invite Rotorua Neighbourhood Support and police to help address some of those safety issues."
Mr Biddle said attendees were also keen to set up a residents' advocacy group to "provide some impetus to our voices".
"It's all part of bringing everyone together, local people looking after each other."
He said an important point brought up at the community meeting was that many of the issues spoken about started in the home.
"It's about how we treat each other and our families. I think it was a very positive meeting and showed us all there was a way forward."
He said the vast majority of Koutu residents were fine, law-abiding people who cared for their community and wanted to make sure it was a safe and friendly place to live.
Detective Sergeant Garry Hawkins of the Rotorua police, who is leading the investigation, said police were still interviewing witnesses and talking to suspects.
Mr Hawkins said it was pleasing to hear the community had got together to talk about the issues and police welcomed an invitation to attend their next meeting.
"It's good the community are talking and are open about incidents like this.
"Hopefully, positive outcomes will result in order to reduce criminalisation and victimisation in the area."