Mongrel Mob members attack birthday party at Moteo Marae

About 10 members of the gang arrived at the party where 100-150 guests were having a sit-down dinner. Photo / File

Three gang affiliates have had violence charges dropped after an attack at a birthday party on a marae earlier this year.

Tama Hawkins, Te Rimu Hawkins and Jeffery Morunga pleaded guilty in Hastings District Court yesterday to a charge of unlawful assembly after the incident at Moteo Marae near Puketapu. All three, who appeared separately in front of Judge Max Courtney, were among at least 10 Mongrel Mob gang affiliates who turned up uninvited at a birthday party at the marae on August 25.

Three gang affiliates have had violence charges dropped after an attack at Moteo Marae earlier this year. Photo / File

During the celebration, 50-60 guests were expected for a sit down dinner and although some were Black Power affiliates, it was not a gang function.

According to the summary of facts, three to four carloads carrying about 10 Mongrel Mob affiliates showed up to the party at 10pm.

Tama Hawkins, Te Rimu Hawkins and Morunga were among them, wearing patches and gang colours.

The court summary stated: "From the moment they arrived, trouble started and small fights broke out."

Guests took cover inside and away from the trouble, fearing for their safety.

A number of serious assaults occurred during the brawl with some people knocked unconscious and the woman celebrating her birthday was stabbed in the back.

No individual offenders could be identified as being responsible for the assaults.

During the fight, a shotgun was presented by one of the uninvited mobsters and fired at least once.

Tama Hawkins' lawyer Scott Jeffersontold Justice Courtney his client was "well thought of by his employer", had no previous convictions and just wanted matters "to be solved".

However, police prosecutor Dean Goodall told the judge the matters surrounding the night were still of "serious consequence".

The judge advised Hawkins to "just get on with your life with no further offending", and sentenced him to 80 hours' community work.

Te Rimu Hawkins was remanded on bail until December 18.

Morunga was remanded on bail until January 30 and as he was escorted out of court by a police officer some in the public gallery shouted obscenities at him.

At least six police officers entered the room to calm the situation before the judge adjourned court.

Officials from Moteo Marae declined to comment.