Up to $1.2 million in cash, class A drugs and firearms have been seized by Police in raids on gangs - as the country was under coronavirus lockdown.

New figures obtained by RNZ show last year had the highest rates of gun crime and deaths involving firearms for nearly 10 years.

Emergency services and the justice sector were given a Budget boost, with an investment in communications and upgrade of the courts.

Police have found drugs, firearms and stolen property while searching the Canterbury headquarters of international bikie gang the Mongols MC.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says his frontline staff will use commonsense and discretion when using "remarkable" powers granted to police.