Murupara gang rahui 'working'

Pem Bird. Photo / Rotorua Daily Post

Just over 12 months on from Murupara declaring a ban on gang violence, the signs look promising.

Last October, more than 300 residents - outraged at two alleged gang-related killings in the Bay of Plenty town - took part in a "March for Life", which was followed by a rahui on violence and the wearing of gang colours.

The rahui was instigated by school principal Pem Bird, and violence has reduced.

Mr Bird said this week there was no way of knowing if it was the rahui that had directly led to a decrease.

"All I can say is that when you put a rahui in place, people tend to observe it.

"What pleases me is we have been able to sustain a reasonably peaceful existence.

"I can't say it has been totally violence free - that would not be true, and I don't know what community is totally free of violence."

The march and rahui followed the deaths of 16-year-old Murupara youth Jordan Herewini - run down in January 2009 in an alleged hit-and-run during a gang battle - and 17-year-old Kaine Lewis, from Kaingaroa, who died after being found unconscious with head injuries in a Murupara driveway in October.

Mr Bird said standing up against the violence in such a strong way had led to new channels of dialogue opening up.

"In the background, under the radar, we have had very good discussions with gang leadership at a national level - people who are, in their own way, working with the gang leadership in Murupara."

During the year since the rahui, gang leaders had actively sought to engage with him.

"We have been interacting in a way we've never done before - it's been a year of a lot of finding out."

In September, Mr Bird was invited to attend a graduation ceremony in Turangi, where 12 Mongrel Mob members were celebrated for having undergone a Salvation Army programme aimed at freeing them of methamphetamine addiction.

"The Mongrel Mob has recognised the evils of P, and they are determined to break that stranglehold," Mr Bird said.

"If the Salvation Army is comfortable to work with the Mongrel Mob in that way, then it's possible for other organisations to do the same."

Mr Bird said there were gang members who had recognised their own deprivation, and who were now trying to ensure the same fate did not befall their children.

"We have formulated plans and strategies, working on programmes that will promote better life chances for youth."

Murupara Community Board chairman Jacob Te Kurapa said the fact there had been no more deaths since the rahui was "one tick" for the ban.

"I still see one or two people in town wearing gang regalia - but the ban has been vigorously enforced on our marae," Mr Te Kurapa said.

He said he knew Mr Bird had spoken to iwi about banning the growing and harvesting of drugs on iwi estates.

"Pem can address the chairmen of the various tribes, raising these issues - and you've got to be pretty brave to do that."

- NZPA