More than 300 mourners attended the funeral of Taranaki "Ardie" Fuimaono, a Head Hunters gang member who died shortly after being taken into police custody almost a week ago.
Video / Alex Burton
Smoke from motorcycle burnouts has filled the streets around the farewell of Head Hunters gang member Taranaki "Ardie" Fuimaono in central Auckland.
A funeral procession headed to Grey Lynn, then Māngere, before mourners gathered in Point Chevalier late this afternoon.
And police have appealed to members of the public toprovide them with any footage highlighting bad "driving behaviour".
More than 300 mourners, among them a large number of gang members, gathered at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, for the 43-year-old's funeral. Fuimaono died shortly after being taken into police custody almost a week ago.
There were burnouts aplenty outside St Joseph's Catholic Church following Taranaki Fuimaono's funeral today. Photo / Supplied
Dozens of gang members on motorcycles were seen doing burnouts outside St Joseph's, clouds of smoke drifting across Great North Rd, part of which had been blocked off by police.
Fuimaono's coffin was taken from the church just after 12.30pm, bound next for Canal Rd in Avondale, a Newstalk ZB reporter at the scene said.
Several more stops were planned before the funeral procession reached Māngere.
Fuimaono's funeral procession drew to a close in Point Chevalier, where Head Hunter gang members and families made their way inside the Pt Chevalier Pirates rugby league club to end the day with close friends and families.
Police cars and motorbikes were seen patrolling the area.
More than 300 mourners attended the funeral of Taranaki Fuimaono, a Head Hunters gang member who died shortly after being taken into police custody. Photo / Alex Burton
More than 300 mourners attended the funeral of Taranaki Fuimaono, a Head Hunters gang member who died shortly after being taken into police custody. Photo / Alex Burton
More than 300 mourners attended the funeral of Taranaki Fuimaono, a Head Hunters gang member who died shortly after being taken into police custody. Photo / Herald
Inspector Jacqui Whittaker said all roads had now reopened and police wanted to thank the public impacted by an earlier road closure which saw part of Great North Rd cordoned off.
"Police have camera footage and have also received information from members of the public about some of the driving behaviour exhibited today, and police will be following this information up to ensure anyone who was seen putting others in danger will be held accountable," Whittaker said.
"Police thank those members of the public who have reported information to us and provided photos and videos to us."
Earlier, the Newstalk ZB reporter said there were hundreds of patched gang members standing outside the church; as the funeral service was taking place still inside.
"It's very quiet at the moment. You could hear a pin drop.
"Everyone is just mingling. You can only hear a couple of laughs now and again. Some people are eating pies, just waiting."
Members of the Head Hunters gang outside St Joseph's Catholic Church today. Photo / NZ Herald
Road authorities had issued a notice telling motorists to avoid the area, if possible, or to allow for extra time for diversions around the intersection of Great North Rd and Coleridge St.
More than 300 mourners attended the funeral of Taranaki Fuimaono, a Head Hunters gang member who died shortly after being taken into police custody. Photo / Herald
More than 300 mourners attended the funeral of Taranaki Fuimaono, a Head Hunters gang member who died shortly after being taken into police custody. Photo / Herald
"To help manage traffic congestion in the area, police have put temporary cordons on Great North Rd between Williamson Ave and Coleridge St," police said in a statement.
Cordons were also put in place on Crummer Rd and Coleridge St, police said.
Despite the large gang presence, there were not a lot of police officers on site, the Newstalk ZB reporter said.
However, the police Eagle helicopter hovered over the area for some time.
Some people have been spotted wearing white, while a large number of gang members are decked out in black and wearing their respective gang patches.
There has been a large gang presence in Auckland today as a high profile Head Hunter's funeral took place. Photo / File
Members of at least six different gangs have seemingly called a truce to come together for the funeral.
Gangs seen represented at the funeral include Head Hunters, Hells Angels, Sons of Samoa, the Mongrel Mob and Black Power - some of whom are traditional rivals.
Some men decked in King Cobra patches are also in attendance. It's understood Fuimaono is a former KC member.
Police issued a notice to the public advising of a large funeral procession expected today.
More than 300 mourners attended the funeral of Taranaki Fuimaono, a Head Hunters gang member who died shortly after being taken into police custody. Photo / Alex Burton
Events related to Fuimaono's funeral are happening across the city throughout the day - from Pt Chevalier to Grey Lynn and parts of South Auckland, police told the Herald.
A family service for Fuimaono was held at St Joseph's last night.
A service sheet showed photos of him as a young boy, a young man and later as a father with young children.
The scene outside Pt Chevalier Pirates Rugby League Club. Photo / NZME
His coffin included the Samoan flag painted on the side of it.
Fuimaono, of Westmere, was arrested on Saturday evening and later died in Auckland City Hospital.
