Fellow Mob members, friends and family descend on Wairoa Cemetery for TerryShane Stone's funeral on Saturday. Photo / Warren Buckland
Fellow Mob members, friends and family descend on Wairoa Cemetery for TerryShane Stone's funeral on Saturday. Photo / Warren Buckland
Wairoa "is still in one piece" with both police and politicians reporting a quiet night in the district after the funerals of two Mongrel Mob members.
Ronald Rangi Rigby, 53, and TerryShane Stone, 31, were laid to rest on Saturday, which saw hundreds of Mob members, family and friends ofthe deceased turning out to show their respect.
The three men were killed when the car they were in left State Highway 2 and plunged down a steep bank into the Mohaka River near the viaduct.
An increased police presence was cited as the reason for no reported incidents following the funerals, with Sergeant Brian Smith from the District Command Centre reporting the heightened police presence scene helped to "keep a lid on it".
"There was a quite a large police presence in town," he said.
"Wairoa is still in one piece. I live out in the country, but I would be the first to hear if anything went down," he said.
"I have been really impressed with the gangs, as much as people think there is going to be heaps of friction, they have been very sensible."
Mr Little said he believes the strong police presence definitely helped keep the situation calm.
"Police are covering all their bases that's for sure, and I think they have got it all throughout Wairoa so that is great."
Mr Little was quick to note that what could happen between the Mongrel Mob and Black Power from here on in is "purely speculation".
Police reported a fourth man, also in the car, survived the crash, which occurred Saturday 7 when the men were on their way to a 50th anniversary celebration in Hastings.
Police investigations into the events that led to the crash are ongoing.
