Police given Gang Conflict Warrant amid retaliation fears after Ngāruawāhia death

The police statement didn’t identify the gangs subject to the warrant, but the Herald understands it applies to the Tribal Hux and the Mongrel Mob, which are the two main gangs in Ngāruawāhia. Photo / Dean Purcell

• Gang Conflict Warrant given to police to help prevent acts of retaliation after woman’s death on Friday.
• The death of Turipapa Tukere in Ngāruawāhia is part of an ongoing homicide investigation by police.
• Local police are being supported by officers from Auckland to prevent any violence following Tukere’s tangi today.

Special search warrant powers will be used by police “as necessary” to prevent acts of retaliation after the death of Turipapa Tukere in Ngāruawāhia last week.

As part of the ongoing homicide investigation into the 42-year-old’s death, a Gang Conflict Warrant had been issued under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act 2023, acting Detective Inspector Andy Saunders said in a statement.

The act allows police to apply for special search warrant powers during times of gang conflict.

The police statement didn’t identify the gangs subject to the warrant, but the Herald understands it applies to the Tribal Huk and the Mongrel Mob, which are the two main gangs in Ngāruawāhia.

The Gang Conflict Warrant was sought by police after Tukere’s death, said Saunders, of Waikato CIB.

She was found critically injured sometime after police were alerted about 1.30pm to a number of people fighting on Waipa Esplanade, near the intersection of Newton St.

Tukere was taken to an ambulance station on Jordan St but pronounced dead at the scene.

Following her tangi today,31/12 local police would be supported by officers from Auckland, Saunders said.

“Any antisocial or unlawful behaviour and/or driving-related offending will not be tolerated and those involved can expect to be met with enforcement action.

“Police will exercise powers under the Search and Surveillance Act through gang conflict warrants as necessary to prevent any retaliatory behaviour or further harm.”

The investigation into Tukere’s death is continuing, and police still want to hear from anyone with any information that may lead to an arrest, he said.

“We know there are people who know who is responsible and we are asking them to come forward.”

“Everyone in the community has the right to be safe and feel safe and police are asking the public to report any unlawful behaviour to us on 111 if it is happening [now], and 105 after the fact.”

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