An eagle-eyed camera operator alerted Police to a person possessing a firearm in Paihia overnight.
"At around 2am Police were notified by Kaitaia cameras that a male had been seen on CCTV pulling what appeared to be a firearm from his pants," Mid North Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Mark Barratt says.
"He was observed holding it on camera for a few seconds before adjusting it and placing it back into his pants."
Units were dispatched to the location and located the man a short distance away after carrying out area enquiries.
Senior Sergeant Barratt says the firearm he was allegedly possessing has not been located at this stage and enquiries are ongoing.
Police have since located methamphetamine paraphernalia.
"This was great work by the camera operator who as part of proactive prevention has observed this male, and we were able to locate and charge him," Senior Sergeant Barratt says.
"We will continue to act on this sort of information to keep our communities safe."
A 37-year-old male, who is a patched Black Power member, has been charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm and possessing utensils for methamphetamine. He will appear in the Kaikohe District Court today.
