Police say they will be cracking down on gang members in Waikato, following the death of a woman, and a fight, in the town of Ngāruawāhia. (File photo) Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Waikato police have been granted special powers allowed in cases of gang tension, in the wake of the death of a woman after a brawl in Ngāruawāhia.
The Gang Conflict Warrant widens the rules for police search warrants, police said in a statement on New Year's Eve.
A homicide investigation was launched after Turipapa Tukere, 42, died on Friday 27 December at the Ngāruawāhia ambulance station, where she was taken in a critical condition.
Police had earlier that day been called to reports of people fighting at an intersection in the town, and have said someone who was at the fight knows who was responsible for Tukere's injuries.
A tangi was held to farewell Tukere on New Year's Eve.
Acting Detective Inspector Andy Saunders said officers from Tāmaki Makaurau will join local officers to investigate her death, and want to hear from anyone with information about the case.
"Everyone in the community has the right to be safe, and feel safe ... Police are asking the public to report any unlawful behaviour to us on 111 if it is happening, and 105 after the fact.
"Police will exercise powers under the Search and Surveillance Act through gang conflict warrants, as necessary, to prevent any retaliatory behaviour or further harm. Any antisocial or unlawful behaviour and/or driving-related offending will not be tolerated, and those involved can expect to be met with enforcement action."
Gang Conflict Warrants came into effect in April last year, under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act 2023. They have been used a handful of times since, to increase the heat on gangs following unrest, including in Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne after a series of gang-related shootings last October, and after a string of gang-related incidents in Wairoa in September this year.
