Stormy scenes as council bans gang patches

Wanganui is now gang patch-free.

The decision to pass the Wanganui District Council Prohibition of Gang Insignia bylaw at yesterday's council meeting was unanimous - but only because three Wanganui District councillors walked out in protest.

There were angry scenes around the council table as Mayor Michael Laws clashed with councillors RobVinsen, Barbara Bullock and Sue Westwood, who were all staunchly opposed to the bylaw.

The councillors had attempted to raise concerns about the bylaw's oral submission process but were told by Mr Laws that was not the issue.

Mr Laws repeatedly called the councillors to order and threatened to ask them to leave if they did not stick to discussing the bylaw.

Eventually, Mr Vinsen said there was "no point in staying if this is how the meeting is run", and he and the other two councillors left until the vote was over.

Earlier, Mr Vinsen described the bylaw as "provocative".

He listed a number of reasons he was opposed to the bylaw, including adverse publicity for the city, existing anti-gang legislation and the potential for litigation against the council.
Mr Vinsen said he knows of several gangs who plan to take legal action over the bylaw.

But Mr Laws said the cost of any court proceedings would fall on the police, not the ratepayers.

Cr Randhir Dahya said the bylaw was needed to demonstrate that "gang violence and intimidation is unacceptable in family-friendly Wanganui".


"Gangs intimidate people and engage in criminal activities. Gang patches frighten the elderly, the vulnerable and the young.

Cr Rana Waitai said "naive commentators" missed the point when they said the bylaw would not get rid of gangs.

"That is neither the intent of this bylaw nor the issue. It is our intent, as a local body, to ensure that there are means to circumscribe gang ventures that negatively impact upon our citizens."

Cr Rangi Wills said he had thought long and hard about whether to support the bylaw. In the end, he said, he decided to support it because of the murder of Paul Kumeroa in September 2008.

"Paul Kumeroa was beaten to death on the streets of Castlecliff because a group of thugs thought he was wearing their colour. This should never have happened.

"Without these sorts of laws we will have anarchy."

Mr Laws closed the discussion by saying he believed "we do God's work in enacting this legislation".

"Nothing is achieved by talking to [gang leaders]. They will continue to make and sell drugs, they will continue to kill small children and each other, they will continue to intimidate the public of Wanganui."

Mr Laws said the exact nature and positioning of signage would be decided at the next council meeting.