Gangs in New Zealand
Encyclopedia
There are numerous gang
s in New Zealand
, of varying criminality, organisation and ethnicity. According to the New Zealand Police
, the three most prominent New Zealand gangs are Black Power
(not related to the African-American movement
); the Mongrel Mob
, and the Nomads. Other gangs are prominent in particular areas, for example the Junior Don Kings (JDK) and Dope Money Sex (DMS) in Central Auckland.
According to the book Gangs by Ross Kemp
, New Zealand has more gangs per head then any other country in the world, with about seventy major gangs and over 4,000 patched members in a population of about 4,000,000 people.
According to sociologist Jarrod Gilbert, New Zealand has had problems with youth and street gangs since the 1950s. However organised crime gangs such as those which currently dominate the New Zealand scene mostly date from the 1970s. 'Gangsta
' style gangs have been a presence in New Zealand since the early 1990s but individual gangs of this type are typically short lived. New Zealand gangs have generally been heavily influenced by their American counterparts. Although Black Power takes its name from the black liberation movement of the same name, in many ways it and similar gangs are much more akin to white American motorcycle gangs such as the Hell's Angels
. Since the early 1990s newer gangs have primarily been influenced by African American Street Gangs such as the Crips
and Bloods
.
Gang members are a minority of New Zealand criminals. A New Zealand Ministry of Justice study showed that in 1991 just under 80% of prison inmates had no gang history, and just over 90% had no current gang membership. Of the prison population, 4% were members of the Mongrel Mob and 4.3% former members, while 3.6% were current and 3.2% former members of Black Power. No other gang had more than one percent of the prison population. A similar study in 2003 showed that 11.3% of prison inmates were gang members. Of these, 35% were Mongrel Mob and 33% Black Power, with no other individual gang having more than 5% of the imprisoned gang population.
as the Black Bulls, and its membership is primarily Māori and Pacific Islander
. It has been involved with various kinds of crime, particularly drug dealing. Its symbol is the clenched fist of the American black power
movement, and their colours are blue and black.
although it maintains a presence in Ellerslie
through a senior member . In late 2010 members of the motorcycle club in Wellington have patched over to become part of the Head Hunters motorcycle club.
in the early 1970's who's ranks prodimantly are Polynesian
but not exclusive to others. Their reputed turf is reported to stretch from the Downtown area to Mangere
and Papatoetoe
. In 2009 it was reported that members of the gang had been involved in a multi million dollar Methamphetamine
drug ring organised within Paremoremo Prison. The Cobra's maintained a Headquarters in Ponsonby up until August 2011 as they are reported to be shifting premises
In 2011 the gang made headlines when it tried to register a lottery.
, Hastings, Wellington
, Christchurch and several in Australia. By 2008 it had expanded into Brisbane
and the Gold Coast in eastern Australia.
about 1968 and, like its Black Power rivals, is primarily Māori and Pacific Islander. The gang has been active in organised crime and has been involved in several murders. Its symbol is a bulldog
wearing a German
Stahlhelm
helmet, and the gang makes use of other Nazi imagery. Their colours are red and black. The Mongrel Mob is currently the largest gang in New Zealand.
, they have a presence in South Auckland
and as far south as Rotorua
.
The Tribesmen have a feeder youth street gang called Killer Beez (sometimes Killer Bees), possibly a reference to the West Coast Killa Beez
album by the Wu-Tang Clan
who wear yellow and black. Killer Beez was headed by Josh Masters, formerly a vice-president of the Tribesmen gang. Masters was one of 44 people from both gangs arrested in a police swoop in May 2008. In total 60 Killer Beez were arrested an operation which involved 110000 intercepted messages. Charges included supplying methamphetamine
, conspiracy to supply methamphetamine and money laundering
. Masters plead guilty but is currently (October 2011) fighting to have that overturned.
In 2011 Vila Lemanu was the most senior Killer Beez member not in prison, he has been on the run since 2 September 2011.
The Killer Beez controlled the record label
Colourway Records until all it's assets were seized in 2008.
Ethnic gangs
Street/Youth Gangs
Gang
A gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
s in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, of varying criminality, organisation and ethnicity. According to the New Zealand Police
New Zealand Police
The New Zealand Police is the national police force of New Zealand, responsible for enforcing criminal law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout New Zealand...
, the three most prominent New Zealand gangs are Black Power
Black Power (New Zealand)
Black Power is a prominent gang in New Zealand. It was formed as the "Black Bulls" by Rei Harris and Māori youth in Wellington about 1970, in response to the rival Mongrel Mob gang and enemy White Power associated gangs. The gang then spread to other major centres and rural towns in New Zealand...
(not related to the African-American movement
Black Power
Black Power is a political slogan and a name for various associated ideologies. It is used in the movement among people of Black African descent throughout the world, though primarily by African Americans in the United States...
); the Mongrel Mob
Mongrel Mob
The Mongrel Mob is a New Zealand gang, originally formed in Hawke's Bay in the 1960s and early 1970s.The gang offers a surrogate 'family' for young men, most of whom are often alienated from their family via joining. Members are from New Zealand's Maori, European or other Polynesian ethnic groups,...
, and the Nomads. Other gangs are prominent in particular areas, for example the Junior Don Kings (JDK) and Dope Money Sex (DMS) in Central Auckland.
According to the book Gangs by Ross Kemp
Ross Kemp
Ross James Kemp is a BAFTA award-winning British actor, author and journalist, who rose to prominence in the role of Grant Mitchell in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders...
, New Zealand has more gangs per head then any other country in the world, with about seventy major gangs and over 4,000 patched members in a population of about 4,000,000 people.
According to sociologist Jarrod Gilbert, New Zealand has had problems with youth and street gangs since the 1950s. However organised crime gangs such as those which currently dominate the New Zealand scene mostly date from the 1970s. 'Gangsta
Gangsta
Gangsta may refer to:* Gangsta , a one time member of The Comrads and Hoo-Bangin' Records* Gangster, slang for a member of a gang*Gangsta rap*Hip hop fashion, a style of dress associated with the aforementioned musical genre...
' style gangs have been a presence in New Zealand since the early 1990s but individual gangs of this type are typically short lived. New Zealand gangs have generally been heavily influenced by their American counterparts. Although Black Power takes its name from the black liberation movement of the same name, in many ways it and similar gangs are much more akin to white American motorcycle gangs such as the Hell's Angels
Hells Angels
The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is a worldwide one-percenter motorcycle gang and organized crime syndicate whose members typically ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In the United States and Canada, the Hells Angels are incorporated as the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation. Their primary motto...
. Since the early 1990s newer gangs have primarily been influenced by African American Street Gangs such as the Crips
Crips
The Crips are a primarily, but not exclusively, African American gang. They were founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1969 mainly by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams...
and Bloods
Bloods
The Bloods are a street gang founded in Los Angeles, California. The gang is widely known for its rivalry with the Crips. They are identified by the red color worn by their members and by particular gang symbols, including distinctive hand signs...
.
Gang members are a minority of New Zealand criminals. A New Zealand Ministry of Justice study showed that in 1991 just under 80% of prison inmates had no gang history, and just over 90% had no current gang membership. Of the prison population, 4% were members of the Mongrel Mob and 4.3% former members, while 3.6% were current and 3.2% former members of Black Power. No other gang had more than one percent of the prison population. A similar study in 2003 showed that 11.3% of prison inmates were gang members. Of these, 35% were Mongrel Mob and 33% Black Power, with no other individual gang having more than 5% of the imprisoned gang population.
Black Power
Black Power was formed in the late 1960s in WellingtonWellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
as the Black Bulls, and its membership is primarily Māori and Pacific Islander
Pacific Islander
Pacific Islander , is a geographic term to describe the indigenous inhabitants of any of the three major sub-regions of Oceania: Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, these three regions, together with their islands consist of:Polynesia:...
. It has been involved with various kinds of crime, particularly drug dealing. Its symbol is the clenched fist of the American black power
Black Power
Black Power is a political slogan and a name for various associated ideologies. It is used in the movement among people of Black African descent throughout the world, though primarily by African Americans in the United States...
movement, and their colours are blue and black.
Head Hunters MC
The Head Hunters motorcycle club is one of the fastest growing motorcycle clubs in the country. It has chapters in West Auckland, Wellsford, Northland and most recently Wellington. Its beginning is said to go back to 1967 and has been historically tied to West AucklandWest Auckland
West Auckland is a village in County Durham, in North East England. It is situated to the west of Bishop Auckland, on the A688 road.It is not known exactly when West Auckland was first inhabited, but there is evidence of Auckland West in the history of St. Cuthbert in the 11th century...
although it maintains a presence in Ellerslie
Ellerslie
-Places:In Australia and New Zealand* Ellerslie, New Zealand, a suburb of Auckland* Ellerslie, Victoria, a town in the Western District of Victoria * Ellerslie Flower Show, in New ZealandIn Canada...
through a senior member . In late 2010 members of the motorcycle club in Wellington have patched over to become part of the Head Hunters motorcycle club.
King Cobras
The King Cobras are a Central Auckland based gang with its origins born out of the Polynesian PanthersPolynesian Panthers
The Polynesian Panther Party was an organisation founded by New Zealand born Polynesians on June 16, 1971.The party was explicitly influenced by the American Black Panther Party, particularly Huey Newton’s policy of black unity. They located the causes of Māori and Pacific Island oppression within...
in the early 1970's who's ranks prodimantly are Polynesian
Polynesians
The Polynesian peoples is a grouping of various ethnic groups that speak Polynesian languages, a branch of the Oceanic languages within the Austronesian languages, and inhabit Polynesia. They number approximately 1,500,000 people...
but not exclusive to others. Their reputed turf is reported to stretch from the Downtown area to Mangere
Mangere
Māngere is one of the larger suburbs in South Auckland, in northern New Zealand.The suburb is located on flat land at the northeastern shore of the Manukau Harbour, to the northwest of the centre of Manukau city and 15 kilometres south of Auckland city centre...
and Papatoetoe
Papatoetoe
Papatoetoe is a suburb in the Auckland conurbation in northern New Zealand. One of the larger suburbs of the area commonly known as South Auckland, it is located to the northwest of central Manukau, and 18 kilometres southeast of Auckland city centre....
. In 2009 it was reported that members of the gang had been involved in a multi million dollar Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
drug ring organised within Paremoremo Prison. The Cobra's maintained a Headquarters in Ponsonby up until August 2011 as they are reported to be shifting premises
Hells Angels MC
The Hells Angels motorcycle club founded a chapter in Auckland in 1961 and has since taken over gangs in Wanganui. New Zealand had the first chapter of the Hells Angels outside the US.In 2011 the gang made headlines when it tried to register a lottery.
Highway 61 MC
The Highway 61 motorcycle club is currently the largest outlaw motorcycle club in New Zealand. The motorcycle club currently has chapters in AucklandAuckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, Hastings, Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
, Christchurch and several in Australia. By 2008 it had expanded into Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
and the Gold Coast in eastern Australia.
Mongrel Mob
The Mongrel Mob was formed and organised in HastingsHastings, New Zealand
The city of Hastings is a major urban settlement in the Hawke's Bay region of the North Island of New Zealand, and it is the largest settlement by population in Hawke's Bay. Hastings city is the administrative centre of the Hastings District...
about 1968 and, like its Black Power rivals, is primarily Māori and Pacific Islander. The gang has been active in organised crime and has been involved in several murders. Its symbol is a bulldog
Bulldog
Bulldog is the name for a breed of dog commonly referred to as the English Bulldog. Other Bulldog breeds include the American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge and the French Bulldog. The Bulldog is a muscular heavy dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose...
wearing a German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Stahlhelm
Stahlhelm
Stahlhelm is German for "steel helmet". The Imperial German Army began to replace the traditional boiled-leather Pickelhaube with the Stahlhelm during World War I in 1916...
helmet, and the gang makes use of other Nazi imagery. Their colours are red and black. The Mongrel Mob is currently the largest gang in New Zealand.
Rebels MC
In 2010 members of the Australian motorcycle club the Rebels have announced they will be establishing a presence in New Zealand in 2011. Rebels MC members have been sighted wearing their patches in various places throughout the North Island in early 2011.Road Knights MC
The Road Knights motorcycle club operates in the South Island. They are based in Invercargill, Timaru and Dunedin. The gang has ties with the Hells Angels, Red Devils and the Harris Gang and are rivals with the Mongrel Mob.Tribesmen MC
The Tribesmen is a prominently Māori motorcycle club formed in the 1980s in OtaraOtara
Ōtara is a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand, situated 18 kilometres to the southeast of the Auckland CBD. Ōtara lies near the head of the Tāmaki River , which extends south towards the Manukau Harbour...
, they have a presence in South Auckland
South Auckland
South Auckland is an imprecisely defined area of Auckland, New Zealand, often stereotyped as a socio-economically disadvantaged, and sometimes rough, urban area with a relatively large Polynesian and Māori population. The name South Auckland is not an official place name but is in common use by New...
and as far south as Rotorua
Rotorua
Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. The city is the seat of the Rotorua District, a territorial authority encompassing the city and several other nearby towns...
.
The Tribesmen have a feeder youth street gang called Killer Beez (sometimes Killer Bees), possibly a reference to the West Coast Killa Beez
West Coast Killa Beez
West Coast Killa Beez is the second album that was released by Wu Tang Clan affiliates Northstar in 2005.-Track listing:#"Rise Above Emotions"#"Coming Up, Coming Up"#"Killer Beez" #"Sunny"#"Drama"...
album by the Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
who wear yellow and black. Killer Beez was headed by Josh Masters, formerly a vice-president of the Tribesmen gang. Masters was one of 44 people from both gangs arrested in a police swoop in May 2008. In total 60 Killer Beez were arrested an operation which involved 110000 intercepted messages. Charges included supplying methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
, conspiracy to supply methamphetamine and money laundering
Money laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
. Masters plead guilty but is currently (October 2011) fighting to have that overturned.
In 2011 Vila Lemanu was the most senior Killer Beez member not in prison, he has been on the run since 2 September 2011.
The Killer Beez controlled the record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Colourway Records until all it's assets were seized in 2008.
Other gangs
Motorcycle Gangs- Devil's Henchmen MC (Christchurch and Timaru) - the original South Island outlaw motorcycle club, formed in Christchurch in 1973
- Epitaph Riders MC (Christchurch and Greymouth)
- Filthy Few MC (Tauranga, Rotorua, Waihi and Matamata)
- Forty Five MC (Auckland)
- Greasy Dogs (Mount Maunganui)
- Huhu MC (Tokoroa), started as a largely bush crew from the early 1950s, MC in the early 1970s.
- Lone Legion MC (Blenheim)
- Lost Breed MC (Nelson)
- Magogs MC (New Plymouth)
- Mothers MC (Palmerston North)
- Outcasts MC (Hamilton)
- Outlaws MC (Napier)
- Red Devils MC (Nelson)
- Southern Vikings MC (Dunedin)
- Templars MC (Christchurch)
- Tyrants MC (Pahiatua)
- Ara Toa Whanau MC (Palmerston North, Horowhenua, Heretaunga)
Ethnic gangs
- StormTroopers (Dargaville)
- Tribal Huk (Ngaruawahia)
- FBI's (Full Blooded Islanders)- Pacific Islanders - Wellington
- Right Wing ResistanceRight Wing ResistanceThe Right Wing Resistance was founded in Christchurch by a group of white nationalists led by Kyle Chapman, the former leader of the New Zealand National Front...
- A White Supremacist skinheadSkinheadA skinhead is a member of a subculture that originated among working class youths in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, and then spread to other parts of the world. Named for their close-cropped or shaven heads, the first skinheads were greatly influenced by West Indian rude boys and British mods,...
gang formed by Kyle ChapmanKyle ChapmanKyle Chapman is a former national director of the New Zealand National Front . He was also a candidate for Mayor of Christchurch, first for the National Front, and then for the National Democrats Party....
, based originally in Christchurch, but claims to have a presence across the country.
Street/Youth Gangs
- Bloods (Nationwide)
- Crips (Nationwide)
- Darksiders (Connected to Black Power, Wellington)
- Dope Money Sex (Central Auckland) (Also under the Crips Umbrella).
- Killerbeez (Connected to the Tribesman)
- T.O.C. (Thugs of Canal) AvondaleAvondale, AucklandAvondale is a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand, located in the Whau ward, one of the thirteen administrative divisions for the Auckland Council. It is commonly considered to be part of West Auckland. It was originally called "Te Whau", which is the common name, of Māori origin, for Entelea...
based street gang which is named after the street they hold ground on. - J.C.B. (Junior Crip Boys) OtahuhuOtahuhuOtahuhu is a suburb of Auckland. It is located to the southeast of the city centre, on a narrow isthmus between an arm of the Manukau Harbour to the west and the Tamaki River estuary to the east...
based crip gang.
External links
- Gang related news at the New Zealand Herald - discusses gangs in Christchurch