Gangs in New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There are numerous gangs in New Zealand, of varying criminality, organisation and ethnicity. According to the New Zealand Police, the three most prominent New Zealand gangs are Black Power (not related to the African-American movement); the Mongrel Mob, and the Nomads.[1] Other gangs are prominent in particular areas, for example the Junior Dom Kings (JDK) and Dope Money Sex (DMS) in West Auckland.[2]
According to sociologist Jarrod Gilbert, New Zealand has had problems with youth and street gangs since the 1950s.[3] However organised crime gangs such as those which currently dominate the New Zealand scene mostly date from the 1970s. 'Gangsta' style gangs have been a presence in New Zealand since the early 1990s but individual gangs of this type are typically short lived.[1] New Zealand gangs have generally been heavily influenced by their American counterparts. Although Black Power takes its name from the black liberation movement of the same name, in many ways it and similar gangs are much more akin to white American motorcycle gangs such as the Hell's Angels. Since the early 1990s newer gangs have primarily been influenced by African American street gangs such as the Crips and Bloods.[3]
Gang members are a minority of New Zealand criminals. A New Zealand Ministry of Justice study showed that in 1991 just under 80% of prison inmates had no gang history, and just over 90% had no current gang membership. Of the prison population, 4% were members of the Mongrel Mob and 4.3% former members, while 3.6% were current and 3.2% former members of Black Power. No other gang had more than one percent of the prison population.[4] A similar study in 2003 showed that 11.3% of prison inmates were gang members. Of these, about a third each were Mongrel Mob or Black Power, with no other gangs having more than 5% of the imprisoned gang population.[5]
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[edit] Prominent New Zealand gangs
[edit] Black Power
Black Power was formed in the late 1960s in Whakatane, and its membership is primarily Māori and Pacific Islander. It has been involved with various kinds of crime, particularly drug dealing. Its symbol is the clenched fist of the American black power movement, and its colours are blue and black.
[edit] Mongrel Mob
The Mongrel Mob were formed and organised in Hastings in the late 1960s or early 1970s and, like its Black Power rivals, is primarily Māori and Pacific Islander. The gang has been active in organised crime and has been involved in several murders. Its symbol is a bulldog wearing a German Stahlhelm helmet, and the gang makes use of other Nazi imagery. Their colours are red and white.
[edit] Nomads
In 1977 the Nomads split from Black Power.[6]
[edit] Opposition
Some politicians have called for gang patches to be made illegal.[7] [8] [9]
[edit] Locations
| Patch | Gang | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Black Power | Christchurch | |
| Devil's Henchmen MC | ||
| Epitaph Riders MC | ||
| Highway 61 MC | Christchurch | |
| Lone Legion MC | Blenheim | |
| Lost Breed MC | Nelson | |
| Mongrel Mob | Christchurch | |
| Road Knights MC | Invercargill |
[edit] References
- Court told of family's clashes with gang
- Gangs recruiting, setting up chapters in Timaru
- National to target drugs
- Our Underbelly
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b New Zealand Police Criminal Investigation Branch: Organised Crime
- ^ Gang pack rapes random, alcohol-fuelled The New Zealand Herald 20 August 2007
- ^ a b 'Bash, bling and blood' - 18 Aug 2007 - Gang News - NZ Herald
- ^ Ministry of Justice - Census of Prison Inmates 1991
- ^ Corrections Department - Gang Membership.
- ^ Denis O'Reilly, 'Nga Kupu Aroha: Words of Love', nzedge.co.nz.
- ^ Sharples calls for tougher line on gang problems - 29 Jan 2007 - Gang News - NZ Herald
- ^ Sharples' gangs call divides opinions - 30 Jan 2007 - Gang News - NZ Herald
- ^ Gang patches could be banned nationwide - 05 Mar 2007 - Gang News - NZ Herald
