There was a large turnout this morning for a march through Kaikohe to take a stand against gun violence. Video / Northern Advocate
More than 150 people have marched through Kaikohe this morning to take a stand against gang violence.
The Mid North town has been drawn into ructions that began in Auckland between rival gangs the Tribesmen and Killer Beez, with shots fired at a house in Kaikohe before dawn on Tuesday.
Today's hikoi is fronted by leaders of the hapū of Ngāti Ueoneone, Ngāti Whakaeke, Ngāti Tautahi, Te Matarahurahu and Te Uri o Hua.
After marching down Broadway the crowd gathered at the former Kaikohe Hotel site, now owned by Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi Ō Ngāpuhi.
Ministers offered karakia and hapū leaders made speeches calling for an end to violence and unity among the hapū of Ngāpuhi.
The event organiser and spokesman for hapū collective Te Tiahotanga, Mane Tahere, said the rāhui aimed to protect everyone in Kaikohe, from gang members to pēpē (babies).
"This rāhui is about protection of all people and the prohibition of gang violence in our rohe...Our tupuna used rahui in all sorts of ways, and that tradition continues today."
