A proposal for a patch ban in Wairoa has been backed by former Wairoa man and Wanganui mayor Michael Laws, who says the gangs are a "cancer upon the town".
Wairoa has been the scene of two gang-related shootings in recent weeks.
Mr Laws, who was born in Wairoa and still has
family in the town, said Wanganui once had the stigma of being a "gang town" but that had gone since the patch ban. "Once you have the reputation as a gang town, it is impossible to escape that stigma, unless you do something about it," he said.
"It's not just about the patch, but gang insignia full stop. The display of gang insignia is everything, it defines who they are as people."
The bylaw had had numerous positive effects, Mr Laws said, which included giving police more power, reducing intimidation and stopping gang behaviour in public.
"It gives the police more power to stop them and search their cars and houses. It makes life uncomfortable for them and they say 'we don't want to live here anymore'."
Another positive was that youth did not see gang members out and about.
Police national headquarters had reviewed the legislation after one year and it showed a 15 per cent drop in gang members in Wanganui.
Wairoa Mayor Les Probert said a council meeting next week would discuss a gang patch ban, but the results of Wanganui were not far from his mind and locals were supporting a ban.
MP Chris Tremain pledged his support to sponsor such a bill to Parliament .
Wairoa Community Development Trust chairman Fenton Wilson said people in the town would support a patch ban.
"Their [the gangs] conduct is becoming bloody dangerous."
