HEADING along State Highway 38 through kilometres of forestry you suddenly see in front of you a gorgeous view of Te Urewera Ranges. This is Murupara.
It doesn't look dangerous but that's what a judge has labelled this town, about 45 minutes from Rotorua.
Your first glimpse of the settlement leaves you with the impression the town has long been forgotten by time. It's hard to believe it was once a thriving mill town with more than 5000 residents.
Many of the streets are littered with derelict, abandoned homes with overgrown lawns and outside perceptions are that the town is run by gangs. Two teenagers have been killed in the area in the past few years as a result of gang confrontations.
Residents will tell you it is not the "wild west" as many outsiders believe and community leaders say they're doing their best to address issues plaguing the town.
At the sentencing to life imprisonment of 20-year-old Norton Taoho, 20, for the murder of Kaingaroa teenager Kaine Lewis in Murupara in October 2009, Justice John Priestley described Murupara as a "sad and on occasions dangerous town". He said gang violence had bedevilled the town for three years with another murder, incidents of violence and vehicles used as weapons. He said major conflict between the Mongrel Mob and the Tribesmen gangs continued.
Teenagers we spoke to say gangs mean nothing.
Pahemata Anderson, 13, says her town is a close-knit community.
"The whanau bonds here are unbelievable," she says. "Gangs are just a waste of time. I can't see any point in them."
Natisha Tule, 15, says she feels supported by the community.
"They do a lot for us to help keep us occupied. We can go swimming and they have great holiday programmes here."
Te Kura Kaupapa Motuhake o Tawhiuau principal Pem Bird says the judge's comments weren't helpful.
"What he's doing is creating, he's cementing in the mind of the public this is not a safe place, keep away from Murupara. Who would want to touch Murupara when you get that sort of adverse comment?
"It's unfair and it's irresponsible coming from a person one would expect to have a sense of basic decency and honesty. He should refrain from making such comment. It's appalling ... it angers me hugely. What it does is condemn this town as a bunch of misfits unable to be trusted."
The result of such comments was when people acknowledged to outsiders where they came from, the reaction was negative, Mr Bird says.
"It's hurtful to us ... an absolute slur on the community," he says.
He admits there are issues in the community needing addressing but they are trying to move on from the negative perceptions.
"We admit straight up that yes we do have problems but that's known. We are no different to any other place in New Zealand. We have had two shocking [killings] and they are shocking," he said. "The impact of those slayings has had long and lasting effects on us emotionally. We want to be left to get on with the healing process and keep ourselves well and safe."
He is concerned about the future of youth in the town but says there are many success stories coming out of Murupara.
"The future is this ... people making good choices in the community to make it worthwhile to live in."
People need work but jobs have been scarce since the mid 1980s, Mr Bird says.
"We are a casualty of Rogernomics. That was a paper exercise - the human face was not considered. That was a big cross to us."
He and other local groups are working with the gangs.
"It isn't all gloom and despair. The vast majority of the people here are good, decent people who have high hopes and aspirations for their children ... it just takes time."
Judy Ammunson, who helps run the local drop-in centre and has lived in Murupara for 66 years, says the biggest problem is alcohol and she blames parents.
"I love it here ... it's a good place. It's not dangerous but it's sad the way things are happening - but you have to ask yourself, where are the damn parents?"
In the old days there was plenty for youth to do but nowadays they are bored, Mrs Ammunson says.
"This place used to be humming - you name it, we had it."
She's adamant Murupara has a lot to offer.
"This is paradise."
Community leader, Justice of the Peace and chairman of the community board, Jacob Te Kurapa, says Murupara isn't dangerous but has issues.
"Every town has its element. I confess we are one of those towns. We have our black sheep. It is not a sad town ... and it is not a dangerous town. We are far from a tumbleweed, lone sheriff town. We are not like that. We are not one of these wild west towns as we have been called before."
Efforts are being made to make the town safer, including installing flood lighting, security cameras and more police patrols, along with offering more programmes for youth.
"We are trying to divert young people away from boredom, crime and gang life activities.
"There are other gangs in this town and they are the do-gooders. They are the ones trying to do some positive stuff in this town to make it a safe, better place for everyone in our community."
He says there's plenty of potential in the town.
"We have everything here. New people want to come here and revitalise this town and do some good here ... We can't live on Government handouts here. We need to see industry come into this town. We are the gateway to Te Urewera, hunting, fishing expeditions ... we do have rich treasure and taonga, Ngati Manawa's hidden treasures are here that people could come and experience."
POPULATION FACTS
Year ... Total
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1996 ... 2208
2001 ... 1962
2006 ... 1839