Neighbours are worried after a spate of drive by shootings in South Auckland.

An Otara resident says he slept on the floor with his children after a house he lived near was shot at in the most recent drive-by shootings as gang tensions boiled over onto the streets of a south Auckland community.

Gary Cooper said they were home on Saturday evening when they heard two loud bangs, shortly after 10pm.

Armed police teams were scrapped earlier this year and will not return after strong public opposition.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster in June said the controversial armed response teams would not become permanent in New Zealand after a six-month trial.

The decision not to roll-out ARTs had been made based on preliminary findings from the trial evaluation, feedback received from the public, and consultation with community forum groups.

Coster in June told Stuff it was clear from the feedback, including 4000 letters in the last week, that there was not support for ARTs as something that aligned with the style of policing people wanted for New Zealand.

* Please put NFP if you do not want your comment used by Stuff.