No arrests of gang members after closely watched tangi

Some members of the Mongrel Mob who attended the tangi.
Photo: RNZ/Reece Baker

Funeral processions for a major tangi gang in the Wellington area have ended without arrests, police say.

About 80 police personnel were monitoring the tangi that caused traffic disruption around Lower Hutt and Porirua on Tuesday.

“We recognize that the procession caused disruption to traffic flows in the area, and we would like to thank the public for their patience as the funeral procession makes its way through our district,” Hutt Valley prevention manager Inspector Shaun Lingard said.

There are reports of mourners intimidating members of the public by banging on cars and barking at them.

A member of the Mongrel Mob makes a gesture.
Photo: RNZ/Reece Baker

Lingard said officers will follow up on any acts of unlawful behavior and decide whether to take further enforcement action.

Attendees were monitored as they dispersed, he said.

The police also wanted to hear any reports or view images of possible unlawful behavior. Citizens could file a report online or call Crime Stoppers on 0800 5555 111.

Earlier today, Police Minister Mark Mitchell said he was not surprised by the bad behavior because “the Mongrel Mob are idiots”.

He was convinced that the police had things under control and were using sufficient resources to keep the tangi under control.

“The gangs need to understand that they are no longer running the streets.”

He said police under the coalition government had changed their approach to such events. They were more willing to make arrests and seize vehicles.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was also impressed by the way gang tangi were being monitored.

He pointed to when the gang patch ban will come into effect on November 21, although he also said police “operationalizing” the gang patch ban law is entirely up to them.

Members of the mongrel gang are out in large numbers as they attend a tangi in Porirua
Photo: RNZ/Reece Baker