The arrests demonstrate the harder line police signalled they would take when it came to breaches of the lockdown movement rules.
“However, overall, we are pleased with the community response to the Covid-19 Alert Level 4 restrictions so far this Easter weekend,” Insp Aberahama said.
“We have noticed fewer vehicles on the roads but we would still like to remind people that they should only be undertaking essential travel.
“Tairawhiti Police will continue to be visible in communities around Gisborne, Mahia and the East Coast this weekend to make sure people are safe and informed.”
Police removed four people from four different holiday homes at Mahia on Wednesday.
The police, the Mahia Hub and Rongomaiwahine Iwi Trust have been working together to ensure the safety of the community.
Nationally, police made it clear in the lead-up to the Easter weekend that people should stay in their “bubbles” and not travel to holiday destinations for the long weekend.
Those removed from Mahia houses were formally cautioned and sent out of the area, a police spokesman said.
“This was disappointing and selfish behaviour by these people.”
Iwi Trust chief executive Mo Rongo said: “It is a shame some choose to ignore the safety of our community but we can all do something about this. Lives are at stake.”
Mr Rongo said anyone at Mahia who knew of holidaymakers who had gone to the area for Easter, who knew of holiday homes where some might be, should text him on 0274 799 765.
“Have names if you can, addresses and details of when they arrived.”
The information would be passed on to police.
“Please do not go looking for people infringing the rules. Stay home and stay safe,” Mr Rongo said.
A checkpoint has been set up at Blacks Beach at Mahia to deter holidaymakers from going to the area over the long weekend, and the volunteers manning it will be there 24 hours a day.
Police said they would be cracking down on non-essential travel over the weekend.
“No one should be travelling,' the police spokesman said.
“There will be checkpoints in place throughout the region, including down at Mahia, and we hope everyone sticks to the lockdown rules.
“You'd have to have been living under a rock not to know you're not allowed to travel.”
He said people found doing so face the risk of being arrested.
“We will also be cracking down on surfers who flout the lockdown rules.”
There were two incidents this week where boardriders ignored police signals to return to shore. The five surfers involved received formal warnings.
Meanwhile, although there was no noticeable increase in traffic on Thursday a small number of people driving on Highway 35 were abusive towards checkpoint volunteers.
“Ninety-nine percent of the time they were understanding and went home,” said East Coast checkpoint co-organiser Tina Ngata A small number wanted to get abusive.
The police came through and helped us with quite a few incidents which was good to see.”
While other areas of the country, such as Whangamata, reportedly experienced an Easter influx of visitors and bach owners, Ms Ngata said all East Coast checkpoints reported a quiet Good Friday.
“Up and down the Coast reports were that traffic was the lowest since the start of the checkpoints.
