One of the most senior members of the King Cobras gang has been laid to rest in Auckland.
Hundreds of gang members travelled across Auckland for the funeral and burial of Ulaiasi Pulete.
Mourners rode from West Auckland to South Auckland to pay their respects to the leading criminal underworld figure, known as Rocky.
Police warned motorists to be aware of a heavy gang presence on the roads.
Family and friends travelled to Waikaraka Cemetery in Onehunga as Pulete was laid to rest after 1pm.
Mourners, some arm in arm, gathered around the grave in bright sunshine.
Several men were seen using shovels to fill in the grave as others hugged and chatted nearby.
The procession from the funeral home in Henderson to the cemetery in Onehunga began at 11.50am.
More than 100 mourners gathered outside the funeral venue at Davis Funeral Services in Henderson.
Pulete was carried out of the funeral procession in a white coffin emblazoned with “Chief Rocky, Lifetime Member” and placed into a black hearse.
Dozens of revving motorcyclists followed the hearse towards the Northwestern Motorway. Two motorcycles had large Palestine flags fixed to their fronts.
Some riders were wearing T-shirts and hoodies with tribute messages to Pulete, with one wearing a blue hat with the initials KC.
Several had red or black traditional keffiyeh neck scarves on, in recognition of Pulete’s support of Palestine.
Pulete had previously been lying at the King Cobra pad in Manurewa.
Those close to the late gang member wore traditional mourning mats and tops with “Pulete” in capital letters and text from Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me”.
Rev Setaita Taumoepeau K Veikune told the funeral procession that Pulete’s carer told him during his last moments: “You are no longer Rocky, you are Ulaiasi again”.
The scene was calm as people mingled outside the venue before the service. Earlier, police spoke with mourners who had stopped on their motorcycles near the venue.
Several riders revved their engines as they turned into Collard Place, outside the funeral venue.
One mourner outside the funeral told the Herald that Pulete was a “beautiful soul” who had “found God” later in life.
“The bro found God. And I’m happy for him.”
Inspector Kelly Farrant, Waitematā West area prevention manager, confirmed police would closely monitor gang members.
“Motorists can expect to see a large number of gang members and associates travelling around the region.
“We’re reminding all those who are travelling on our roads to not act in any way that can put yourself and other road users at risk.”
Farrant said police would ensure public safety by monitoring traffic movement and minimising disruptions.
“We will also be investigating any unlawful behaviour and, where enforcement action cannot be taken at the time, expect our staff to follow up.”
Business Onehunga said the disruption was likely to be most noticeable in Neilson St about lunchtime today.
“Police have stated they will be investigating any unlawful behaviour. We will do our best to share any further information as it becomes available.
“Our goal is to ensure our members are as prepared as possible for any potential impact on their businesses.”
It said local businesses and staff should be prepared for road closures, traffic delays and a high volume of vehicles and pedestrians.
One mourner told the Herald he was from the Head Hunters.
Putele was 57 when he died on August 29.
He started his criminal career in the early 1990s as a bank robber.
He was handed a 14-year sentence for organising a drugs shipment worth nearly $1 million with smuggled cellphones while inside prison in 2001.
In 2011, Pulete was convicted of conspiracy to supply methamphetamine while behind bars at Paremoremo prison.
Pulete was finally released from prison in 2017, but the following year, he suffered a life-changing accident.
He was pinned against a brick wall after his ute rolled down the driveway at his Auckland home in 2018 and had to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Jaime Lyth is a multimedia journalist for the New Zealand Herald, focusing on crime and breaking news. Lyth began working under the NZ Herald masthead in 2021 as a reporter for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei.