South Auckland may show how to tackle gangs

Research into South Auckland gangs could provide a blueprint for resolving gang problems throughout the country, says Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis.

The Government has agreed to fund research into youth gangs in the region after violence flared again over Labour weekend, leaving a man dead and two youths in hospital -- one critically ill.

The previous weekend, another youth was badly bashed and taken to hospital where he remained paralysed down one side.

Police have made numerous arrests, including the son of the dead man, on attempted murder charges, and another teenager on a murder charge.

They claim they are in a position to eradicate the problem.

However, Sir Barry said the problem was not confined to south Auckland and the Government had agreed to fund research into why young people joined gangs, the scale of the problem and what could be done to resolve it.

He said previously there had been little -- if any -- research into the issue.

"This is not going to be relevant only to Manukau. It is going to be relevant to the Auckland region, to Wellington, to Rotorua and to communities throughout New Zealand.

"This is why the Government is so keen to sponsor or fund the work and initiatives we are taking."

He said the research, which should be finished by the end of the year, would form a blueprint that could be taken to resolve gang problems throughout the country.

The problem was not new in Manukau or other parts of the country, he said.

The violence was caused by about 500 young gang members -- the rest of the 140,000 young people under 20 in south Auckland were fine young people, he said.

Youth gangs had links with established gangs, he said.

Sir Barry, police, school principals and community workers would meet again tomorrow, following an earlier meeting last week.

- NZPA