Fourteen people have been arrested, and a vehicle and two firearms have been seized, during a police operation around a gang tangi in Tauranga today.
Gang members and their associates were met with a large police presence as they paid their respects at the funeral of a prominent Mongrel Mob member.
The intensified police attention drew criticism from some in the wider community however.
Police said six Mongrel Mob members and their associates were arrested after they were seen wearing clothing and jewellery displaying the gang’s insignia.
A further eight people were arrested and charged with a range of offences, including dangerous driving, possession of firearms, and possession of offensive weapons.
Several items were also seized by police, including Mongrel Mob insignia, firearms, and a vehicle seen driving dangerously earlier in the day.
Twenty-six infringements were issued for a range of driving offences, and three pink stickers were issued for vehicles that weren’t roadworthy.
Publicly displaying gang insignia has been prohibited under The Gangs Act 2024, which came into effect last week. The gang legislation allowed police to pre-emptively identify offenders with the potential to cause disruption and make arrests before further offences were committed.
The first gang funeral after the Gangs Act 2024 came into effect last week was met by a show of force. (Source: 1News)
But critics said the police response was excessive.
In one video, a local kuia can be heard shouting at police: “How disgraceful is that? Go back up the bloody road!”
One woman told 1News she felt “anger” and “hurt” after officers – some from as far as Christchurch – came to town for the funeral.
“They are imprisoning us here because we’re in grief.”
Matapihi resident Areena Smith, who lived next to the urupa, said she felt “uncomfortable”.
“Being in my community, we don’t often have a police presence like this,” she said.
Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said it was about “keeping everyone safe, including those gang members themselves”.
“When we’re stopping vehicles and finding sawn-off shotguns, that’s a recipe for disaster.”
Tikanga expert Rhonda Tibble said the police crackdown wasn’t the way to go, and Māori kawa – customs and protocol – needed better consideration.
“That system is completely different from the police system,” Tibble said. “That police system is born out of western thinking, so they are already in opposition in terms of the way they think about power.”
Police further warn they would be turning their attention to Nelson, where the Mongrel Mob were due to hold a gathering this weekend.
