More than 100 cars and motorcycles have traveled in procession to a Mongrel Mob member’s tangi in Pukerua Bay, north of Wellington.
A police operation monitored the event, which began around 12:30 p.m. in Cannons Creek and passed through Waitangirua, Ascot Park and Tītahi Bay before heading north on State Highway 1 to the Whenua Tapu Cemetery in Pukerua Bay.
The tangi was held to say goodbye to 35-year-old Terry Taiapa, who was killed in a motorcycle accident last week.
A police spokeswoman said resources were being drawn in from across the region to help with the event.
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* Police are pushing for alert level restrictions as Tangi is planned for Mongrel Mob members in Porirua
* Mongrel mob members from across the country pounce on Porirua
* Majority of the Gang-Tangi procession “behaved within the traffic regulations”, police asked for information
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A big tangi was held to bid farewell to a Mongrel mob member who was killed in a motorcycle accident last week.
Traffic management was in place and Māori guards directed traffic from a street where more than 50 people gathered before the procession.
Earlier, Nick Thom, crime prevention inspector in the Kāpiti-Mana area, said the public could expect significant traffic disruptions.
Thom said the police respect the mourners’ desire to mourn and urged those involved to be considerate of other road users and comply with warning level restrictions.
“If necessary, coercive measures will be considered,” he said.
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More than 100 vehicles took part in the procession.
Under alarm Level 2 guidelines No more than 100 people are allowed to attend a funeral or tangi, and organizers must legally register attendees to ensure contact tracing can be provided if necessary.
National Party MP and police spokesman Simeon Brown said the disturbance to the public was unacceptable.
“This is the second major gang event in Porirua in less than a month, which is a major disruption for local residents. New Zealanders are fed up with gangs being able to do whatever they want while the government eases their behavior.
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The procession headed north on State Highway 1 to the Whenua Tapu Cemetery in Pukerua Bay.
“Everyone has the right to mourn loved ones, but that right does not come at the expense of the safety of others. So far, this gang funeral has blocked streets for hours, gang members have dropped wheelies and even blocked entire streets. “
On Tuesday evening, a Poroporoaki service, a farewell speech in Māori culture, was held for Taiapa in a house in Cannons Creek.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker described the behavior at the event as “disrespectful” and said the noise and burnouts bothered local residents.
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A police operation monitored the event, which also included traffic control.
The service resulted in the street being closed to cars and people for hours and eventually evacuated by the police.
“They took it to the street in front of the house and it went on all the time, blocking the street. It’s not acceptable to drop wheelies and block roads, ”she said.
Baker described the behavior as frustrating and disrespectful.
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Traffic came to a standstill in Cannons Creek when the procession began at around 12:30 p.m.
“It’s not acceptable to have it in the middle of the street. The road was cleared in the end, but it went late into the night and it’s just not fair for the locals who live there who don’t want to complain. We all have to be respectful of one another and that doesn’t mean respecting everyone.
“I was disappointed with that. I understand someone died, but we don’t all do that when we have a funeral, ”she said.
Police confirmed they were present and vehicles were scattered after receiving a report of traffic violations at around 9:30 p.m. and deliberate damage to a door at around 10:10 p.m. Both reports refer to a group that has gathered for a tangi.
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A crowd of about 50 gathered on a street in Cannons Creek before the procession.
Another report at 8:15 p.m. about people and vehicles blocking a street could also have been linked to the Tangi, a police spokesman said.
The tangi comes two weeks later another great tangi to say goodbye to 18-year-old Rikki Enoka, who too died in a motorcycle accident on October 4th in Johnsonville.
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A large group of motorcycles led the procession.
As a result of the event, Police fined 50 people four vehicles confiscated and two people arrested because of dangerous ride in a vehicle.
Thom said the procession severely affected traffic and drove a number of vehicles in dangerous ways.
At least 200 people gathered on the street in the Porirua suburb of Waitangirua, dozens with Mongrel mob badges to see Enoka off.
More than 120 vehicles then drove in procession along the SH1 to Pukerua Bay for Tangi.
The police will not rule out further enforcement measures in connection with the event.
