A "huge" police presence was in the small Bay of Plenty community of Matapihi on Thursday, as Mongrel Mob gang members gathered for a tangi of one of their own, which resulted in 14 arrests, police have confirmed.
Police also seized a vehicle and two firearms during what was the first gang funeral to be held after the Gangs Act 2024 came into effect last week.
Six Mongrel Mob members and associates were arrested for wearing clothing and jewellery displaying Mongrel Mob insignia.
A further eight people were arrested and charged with a number of offences including dangerous driving, possession of firearms, and possession of offensive weapons.
Commissioner Richard Chambers commended his officers for their efforts on the operation, and said it sent a clear message to gang members across New Zealand.
"We will not tolerate unlawful activity and enforcement action will be taken," he said.
According to Ripeka Timutimu, a local reporter for Aukaha News, the community responded to the influx of police with mixed views - but the majority were angry, and said there was not enough consultation about how big the operation was going to be.
The tangi comes just a week after a new law was introduced, banning gang members from wearing patches and gang insignia in public.
Those breaking the law will be arrested, have their patches seized, and face prosecution. Being a member of a gang can now also be an aggravating factor in sentencing.
A huge police operation made sure attendees complied with the new gang patch legislation. 28 November 2024 Photo: Alan Gibson
In the first 24 hours of the ban a gang chapter president's patch was seized and on Sunday night a shirt was seized from a man who took a person to hospital after crash.
Detective Inspector Craig Rawlinson said it was important to provide family and friends the space to pay their respects but it would not stop police enforcing the law.
"No unlawful activity will be accepted, including breaches of the new Gangs Act, which came into effect last week," he said.
"We will maintain an increased presence, monitoring movements of gang members and associates, and will be ready to respond if required."
Extra police staff and resources had been called in to the area to monitor gang members and associates travelling for the funeral of the prominent Mongrel Mob figure.
Police pull over gang members leaving the Pyes Pa Memorial Park, near Tauranga, today after a funeral. A huge police operation made sure attendees complied with the new gang patch legislation. 28 November 2024. Photo: Alan Gibson
The Eagle helicopter was also spotted circling above the area.
Timutimu told Midday Report about 70 police officers were seen in Matapihi on Thursday morning, including vans and regular police cars.
A local marae where those attending the tangi went was on a one-way road and police had set up a checkpoint about three kilometres from it.
All vehicles going to the marae had to pass the checkpoint in order to get there, she said.
Timutimu said she witnessed vehicles being pink and green stickered.
Police in Matapihi. Photo: Supplied / Aukaha News
She saw one man with a Mongrel Mob back tattoo get arrested but she could not see anyone wearing gang insignia, apart from when she was on the privately owned marae.
But from the community, Timutimu said there had been an "outpouring of anger".
The first checkpoint police had set up was outside a cemetery, causing a local kuia to yell at police and tell them to move.
"How disrespectful is that?" she said.
Police at a checkpoint. Photo: Supplied / Aukaha News
Timutimu said the Mongrel Mob gang did not have a pad in the area and it was not common to see them in the area.
As well as the three arrests, a 32-year-old patched member of East Side was arrested on shoplifting charges.
On Thursday morning, a 30-year-old driver was arrested and had his vehicle seized for alleged dangerous driving.
Photo: Alan Gibson
Police said they had been running checkpoints across Bay of Plenty and watched as a convoy drove the dead gang member through Tauranga.
"Three motorbikes were seized after allegedly being used to disrupt traffic and block roads across Tauranga."
The three men arrested for wearing gang insignia were due in Tauranga District Court on 2 December.
Photo: Supplied / Aukaha News
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