"The media portrays it as violence all the time, but I don't see that getting around the place. It seems the violence is hidden - it's very sad and it becomes an indictment on all the good people who live here," Cr Collard said.
Mr Collard said the community surrounding Te Kao was "wonderful".
"I actually got stuck in a vehicle at Te Kao recently and the local people went out of their way to help me. They're great people up there... And for them to be condemned by the actions of a violent minority is just not fair," he said.
Police announced today they were rushing extra officers to the Far North to help deal with the spate of homicides and other violent offences there.
Commissioner Mike Bush announced four new staff for the region where at least four homicides have been committed this year.
There have also been a number of violent assaults and robberies - including three knife attacks in Kaitaia in one week of July.
However, the officers will just be relocated from elsewhere in New Zealand - meaning there will be fewer officers in other regions.
