Elusive gang member arrested in Northland

Senior Whangarei Black Power gang member Walter Reid Ngaau was arrested in Tinopai and is likely to appear in court today. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Northland police have arrested a man who was wanted after the suspicious death of Tribesmen gang member John Henry Harris.

Police have thanked the public for their help in a recent search for the man, but have declined to name him ahead of a possible court appearance.

The Northern Advocate understands the man is Walter Reid Ngaau, 54, a senior Whangarei Black Power gang member.

Police said a man had been arrested after a warrant was executed at a house in Tinopai about 5am on Wednesday and he was likely to appear in the Whangarei District Court on Thursday.

Detective Inspector Dene Begbie said another warrant had been executed at a Dargaville house which was being operated as a methamphetamine lab and two people were arrested.

An Auckland-based police clan lab team were carrying out an examination of the chemicals and equipment used in the manufacture of meth that were located in the property.

Mr Harris, also known as John Boy, from Horeke, was driven by two men to the St John Ambulance station with a gunshot wound to his chest on October 18, 2016.

He was loaded into an ambulance but died at the station about 6.40am.

Nicky Bryan Dodd, 41, from Raumanga, has also been arrested after Mr Harris's death.

He is facing one charge of murder, two of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, two of unlawfully carrying a firearm, and one of perverting the course of justice. He has already appeared in the High Court at Whangarei.