Police are “out in large numbers” taking footage of reckless driving behaviour as hundreds of motorbikes, cars, utes and vans descend on the Bay of Plenty town of Whakatāne for the funeral for slain Mongrel Mob Barbarians president Steven Taiatini.
Acting Eastern Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Tristan Murray said police would be keeping a “strong presence” in the area in the hours to come.
“The registered owners of these vehicles will be identified, with a view to impounding vehicles doing burnouts and issuing infringement notices for other breaches of the Land Transport Act,” Murray said.
“In other instances of dangerous driving the owners will be charged and put before the court.”
State Highway 2, which was closed earlier today, would close again between 2pm and 2.30pm when the group travels back to Ōpōtiki. Wainui Rd and Ōhope Rd are currently closed.
“We are conscious of the disruption this may have caused to our locals in the area and we would like to thank members of the community who have been in touch with us, and for their patience as the large procession passed through the district this morning.”
Murray said any members of the public who see illegal behaviour should call 111, and submit any footage online at 105.police.govt.nz.
The thunderclap of hundreds of motorcycles and classic American muscle cars pierced the normally sleepy seaside town of Whakatāne about 11.20am. The convoy of vehicles lasted more than 15 minutes.
Many Mongrel Mob members were seen hanging out of windows and doors throwing up gang signs and salutes.
As the first lot of motorcyclists shot past one was performing a burnout up the hill - with the burned smell of rubber still lingering.
Image 1 of 23: Tangi for Mongrel Mob Barbarians president Stephen Rota Taiatini causes traffic chaos in Ohope and Whakatane. Photos / Andrew Warner
Ōhope Rd is closed to vehicles traveling to Whakatāne.
Barks were heard from several people as they drove past, as well as other shouting.
Bay of Plenty police say State Highway 2 between Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne eastbound, and Wainui Rd are currently closed and is expected to reopen after 1pm.
A massive queue of local residents trying to travel in the region was lining Pohutawaka Dr as far as the eye can see behind the Ōhope Rd cordon.
One man out for a bike ride in Ōhope said the procession “sounded like a bomber going overhead” and, referencing many of the gang members hanging outside their windows, doors and sitting on roofs, he couldn’t believe the “state of lawlessness”.
The cyclists comments were echoed by a local who decided to get a coffee and watch the procession for morning entertainment.
”Back in the 1950s, they would have got the army out to sort them. It’s unbelievable.
”They were hanging outside their cars and barking like dogs - normal people couldn’t do that.”
One fed-up motorist approached police at the cordon demanding to know when it would be open.
It is not expected to be open until after the procession heads back to Ōpōtiki, with one officer saying it could be at least 1pm - which upset locals and motorists alike.
”If you let them get away with it this is what they’ll do,” one person said.
Police investigating Taiatini’s death are seeking information on a burnt-out vehicle while those who knew him have described him as a “good family man”.
Taiatini, 45, was named as the person killed in the “disorder-related incident” on St John St, Ōpōtiki, on Friday. Police have launched a homicide investigation.
His death sparked tension in the small township with the fears of retribution causing schools to close and stopping public transport.
It comes as National Party justice spokesman and former police officer Mark Mitchell this morning said a clear message police “controlled the town, not gangs” needed to be sent.
At 10am, about half a dozen patched gang members were seen waiting by their vehicles at the crematorium, located about two minutes off Ōhope Rd and surrounded by an area of native bush.
A dozen or so police officers are at the intersection of Ōhope Rd and Hillcrest Rd.
Elsewhere throughout the city and nearby Ōhope Beach, several officers were seen driving around in marked cars.
A cordon at the beach was lifted just after 2pm.
Locals who spoke to the Herald were not concerned about the procession and funeral, going about their normal daily routine. One man, who refused to give his name, said it was “all a bit of fuss” and that it his day would be “business as usual.”
An extra 50 police officers have been sent to Ōpōtiki to provide “community reassurance” after the death of the gang leader’s death and in the build-up to his funeral today.
Whakatāne District Council recommended people stay clear of the cemetery on Ōhope Hill during the funeral procession.
“We are expecting the procession to make its way from Ōpōtiki to Hillcrest Cemetery on Ōhope Rd, and recommend keeping clear of this area to allow mourners their space,” it said on social media.
The cemetery and crematorium will be closed to the general public for this tangi until 2pm.
Bay of Plenty Police said motorists should plan for some traffic disruption around Ōpōtiki, Ōhope and Wainui as a large contingent of mourners was expected to travel around the area for a gang tangi.
“We have extra staff from inside and outside the district to support our local team working on the homicide investigation, and to provide high visibility for reassurance, and boost numbers for frontline, community and gang liaison staff,” it said on social media.
”We’ll be monitoring and watching for any unlawful behaviour, and we’ll be prepared to take action but respect that a whānau is in mourning.”
Eastern Bay of Plenty Acting Area Commander Tristan Murray told the Rotorua Daily Post on Tuesday the 50 extra staff were sent to provide “some community reassurance.”
Ahead of the funeral, Murray said police gang liaison officers had been talking to gang leaders of “all factions”.
“Having been out on the ground and driving around [on Tuesday], the gang members present have been very well-behaved. They’re all congregating in one particular area and we’re not actually seeing any issues at this stage.
“We deal with these sorts of things all the time in the Bay of Plenty. We’re taking due precautions to have the resources in the right place if they’re needed.”
Murray said the Mongrel Mob, the predominant gang in Ōpōtiki, had been “really well behaved” and there had been “no significant issues”.
Earlier, Detective Inspector Lew Warner said police investigating Taiatini’s death were seeking information on a burnt-out vehicle.
The vehicle was found on Sunday morning on Waiotahe Valley Rd and police believe it was set alight overnight on Saturday.
Investigators were conducting extensive inquiries into Taiatini’s death, including whether there was any connection with the vehicle.
“We are committed to establishing what has occurred and locating those responsible for his death.”
On Monday, Puwhakamua rehabilitation programme founder Billy Macfarlane Snr said Taiatini needed to be acknowledged for the “good stuff he’s done.
“He’s worked seriously hard to help make changes in the methamphetamine harm space. He and his partner, Pauline, have done a lot of work even in Rotorua.”
Macfarlane said Taiatini’s death was a “tragedy” and that he was “going to be missed.”
“He wasn’t a bad guy.
“He was quite a pleasant fellow to talk to and he wanted to do good.”
“That stuff doesn’t go away.”
National Party justice spokesperson and former police officer Mark Mitchell told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking the lockdown in Ōpōtiki due to increased gang activity was “absolutely outrageous”.
”Police should have rolled in there with resources that were needed.”
Mitchell said gang members had become bold to come into towns and terrorise locals.
”They have become stronger and bolder.”
Mitchell said there needed to be a message sent that “police controlled the town, not gangs”.
Minister of Housing Megan Woods told Hosking that resources had been put into Ōpōtiki amidst rising gang activity which forced people to shut shops and schools.
She said there were “100 more police officers” stationed in the town and unlawful behaviour wouldn’t be tolerated.
Woods said it was not okay that locals were feeling that way.
”This is not a time for politics, it is making sure people are safe.
”We are putting resources in there so unlawful behaviour is not tolerated.”
- Additional reporting Megan Wilson, Maryana Garcia
Luke Kirkness is an assistant news director for the Bay of Plenty Times and the Rotorua Daily Post, covering general news. He previously worked at the NZ Herald for three years, mainly as a consumer affairs reporter. He won Student Journalist of the Year in 2019 at the Voyager Media Awards. He has been sent to Whakatāne to cover the funeral.
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