Police keep eye on Mob muster

Police kept Mongrel Mob members in their sights as they headed to Auckland for the 25th anniversary of the Notorious chapter this weekend.

Two carloads of Mob leaders headed for Onehunga were questioned by police in Taupo about 1pm yesterday after they stopped in a parking area overlooking the lake.

Sergeant Shane McNally, of Taupo, said: "We had calls about them. We went to see. We checked them out and they were on their way in 10 minutes or so. No offences were detected."

The questioning by police and car trouble delayed the start of the welcoming powhiri last night.

Counties Manukau police operations manager Inspector Dave Simpson said the police presence at the anniversary "won't be as visual as we usually are".

Two iwi liaison officers, Sergeant Justin Tairua and Constable Glenn McKay, attended a powhiri in "civvies" last night and will take part in events during the weekend.

"We are leaving this to the iwi liaison officers to make things happen. It's been very positive to date - they don't want trouble and nor do we," Mr Simpson said.

Four Auckland businessmen are also backing what they say is "a change of heart" by members of Mob's Notorious chapter.

Property developer John Sax, insurance broker Max Purdy and former executives Alister McLean and Mark Renton have agreed to take a "stewardship" role with the Mob's new odd-job contracting business, Rent A Bro.

Mr Sax has provided a warehouse in Church St where about 350 Mobsters, including their partners and children, gathered last night for a mixture of reminiscences and Christmas celebrations.

He said other people had donated bread, produce, cups and plates, cutlery and a Christmas tree.

"There are some very high-profile people whose businesses have donated food. We have put out the call and they have responded," he said.

Mr Sax and Mr Purdy have been working with the Mob since they were introduced by an Otara social worker, Sam Chapman, a decade ago.

"What we are dealing with is a change of heart. It's been progressing slowly over that period and it's probably gaining momentum now.

"About a decade ago, when I sat down with the chapter head, he said, 'I don't want my kids to live the sort of life that I've lived'," Mr Sax said.

About 150 gang-members' children were taken after the powhiri to a Youth With A Mission camp in Mangere for much of the weekend.

Mr Sax believed the gang's change of heart started when Mr Chapman took convicted rapist Mark Stephens into his home after Stephens' release from jail about 15 years ago.

"When they see love and care and concern for a human being, that's life-changing," he said.

"Most of the change that occurs with all of us is when it's delivered by another human being."

In August, Mr Sax and former Work and Income head Christine Rankin launched a trust, For the Sake of the Children, aimed at healing broken families and preventing child abuse.

Last week the trust sent Christmas cards to 376,000 children at the country's 3700 primary schools.