A new school in one of the poorest parts of New Zealand wants government help to keep gangs outside its gates.
Murupara Area School told a parliamentary select committee gang tensions and the wearing of insignia on school grounds disrupted learning and encouraged a culture of bullying.
The committee is
hearing submissions on a bill that would ban gang insignia on government-owned premises such as Work and Income offices and state schools.
Murupara Primary School - which will next year combine with a high school to become Murupara Area School - has demanded gang patches be "checked in at the gate" and not worn by parents on school trips.
Establishment Board of Trustees chairman Jacob Te Kurapa said school staff could not use up energy stamping out gang activity, and welcomed a change in the law.
