Police have arrested 16 people, including a Mongrel Mob leader, and seized $1 million in assets in Hawke's Bay on Tuesday morning.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said there had been a significant drop in the number of level 2 breaches, compared to life under level 3.

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.