Illegal checkpoints set up by "ratbags and renegades" without police support will be taken very seriously, Police Minister Stuart Nash says.

However, Nash was comfortable with checkpoints operating in isolated towns, such as those in Northland, as long as they have support of the local community and police.

Iwi across New Zealand have set up checkpoints at the entrances to vulnerable communities in an attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus.

SUPPLIED Hone Harawira with two volunteers at the Tai Tokerau Border Control checkpoint, at the bottom of Waiomio Hill.

Hone Harawira has led a campaign in the Far North to block roads with support from iwi leaders and Far North mayor John Carter.

Checkpoints have also been setup by Ngāti Manawa in the central North Island and East Coast iwi have enforced what was described as a "level 5" lockdown.

On Tuesday, during a meeting of Parliament's Epidemic Response Committee, Nash was questioned by National MP Gerry Brownlee about citizens enforcing roadblocks.

Brownlee said he was aware of a man in his 70s who was prevented from buying an essential item by a gang member dressed in a "hazard jacket".

Nash responded: "That is certainly not appropriate ... but I don't know the circumstances.

"What I would say is in certain areas up the [East] coast there are some really isolated communities where there is one road in and one road out.

"They're isolated not only from large urban areas, but also from healthcare facilities."

RICKY WILSON/STUFF Police have been running their own checkpoints during the nationwide level 4 lockdown, such as this one in Maramarua on State Highway Two.

Nash said he understood police were working with vulnerable local communities and councils to come up with a solution "that meets the requirements of everyone".

But, not everyone is satisfied. Police provided advice to Harawira's northern checkpoints on the appropriate way to run last week after a local couple complained they were stopped from getting groceries in their town.

Northland National MP Matt King, a former police officer, said he had been approached by numerous members of the public who found the checkpoints intimidating.

King believed they were illegal.

KEVIN STENT/STUFF Stuart Nash says community-run checkpoints are OK if they have the blessing of the local council, community, and police.

During the committee meeting, ACT leader David Seymour said people's "basic rights" to move about the country should be upheld, while National leader Simon Bridges said police "were just letting [checkpoints] happen".

Bridges said in the case Brownlee mentioned, his feedback "was that the police don't want to know".

Nash disputed this, and said police were very keen to ensure no-one was breaking the law and that communities were safe.

SIMON O'CONNOR/STUFF National MP Gerry Brownlee says he is aware of a man in his 70s who was stopped by a gang member from buying an essential item.

However, Nash said he had seen pictures of illegal checkpoints being set up on "main arterial routes".

When Seymour questioned whether police had cleared any illegal checkpoints, Nash replied: "Police have certainly dealt with them in a way that I think is appropriate."

Police have been approached for further comment.