Boxing gym under scrutiny

Local Mangere politicians will tour a boxing gym on Manukau City Council land after concerns over links between the gym, a murder trial, a gang and drug dealing.

The Aiga Fetausia'i Trust boxing gym premises in Robertson Rd was mentioned in evidence during a trial involving the stabbing murder of 15-year-old Michael Heremaia at a nearby tinny or drug house in late 2003.

Mangere Community Board members will inspect the boxing gym this week or next to satisfy themselves that there were no concerns there.

The gym was used for a King Cobra gang meeting before the murder of Michael Heremaia who was running the tinny house in Appleby Place for the gang.

Three gang members have been imprisoned for the murder.

This year the gym has been subjected to a routine inspection by the Manukau City Council, which reported to the community board.

Trust official Lealofi Kirifi, who has King Cobra links, told the council he and others involved in the trust were former gang members who wanted to provide boxing for Mangere youth.

The weathered gym, part of the council's Centre Park Depot complex, sits on Mangere parkland behind barbed wire and padlocked gates.

The clean and tidy premises, which contain a small boxing ring, are used by dozens of teenagers for training in the afternoon and later by seniors.

Tricia Dore, the council manager for community advocacy and funding, said yesterday that no indications had come from the police or anybody in the community that anything was wrong at the gym or that its tenancy should be looked at.

"It is well used. That's for sure," Ms Dore said.

"We are satisfied it is all above board ... If we did have any concerns we would be in."

The council report says it is difficult to substantiate claims that the gym is used for gang-related activities.

Chief Inspector Bruce Bird, the police area commander for Mangere, Papatoetoe and Otahuhu, said the police were not interested in tenancy issues.

"The police view obviously here is that it's a matter between the council, the community board and the tenants who tenant that place on behalf of the Aiga gym. If those premises come to our attention for any criminal activity we will certainly take action."

Community board chairman Selio Solomon said certain things about the gym had rung alarm bells.