Gang truce in Christchurch

Press, 20 August 1979, Page 2

Gang truce in Christchurch

The Polynesian Support ; Group was approached last ; November by Charles Henare. former supervisor of the Mongrel Mob, for help ■ In getting work for the i gang Temporary work was found for about 42 clearing | water tables for the Heath- , cote County Council. They 1 did a good job, and a contract was arranged at Heath- i cote’s suggestion under the temporary employment scheme That was followed by work for the City Codncil at Victoria Park.

The support group then j had approaches from High- 1 way 61 and Black Power. I Highway 61 is now involved} in two temporary-employ-I ment schemes. The City! Council employed six Black! Power members repairing] the sea wall at South New I Brighton, then gave another 1 seven a job planting marram' grass. “To the best of my know-| ledge there are no Black} Power members out of work] at the moment." said Mr! Toombs. "The Amuri County! Council took a group six! weeks ago to clear haw-' thorn. They lived in a farm shearers’ quarters. The coun-l ci I was pleased with the re-: suits and are prepared to have them back.” Another group work: scheme is ready to go ahead! with the Heathcote County Council, landscaping the old ! tip before it is handed over’ to the Ferrymead Trust. Another scheme has been ap-i proved by the City Council.! to do with the' walking) tracks on Scarborough Hill. | Mr Toombs said he was; glad to find the gangs now.

| trying to get work for themselves. The Mongrel Mob [had all been working for about 12 months. Previously, most gang .members were unemployed and getting the dole. “You [very rarely see them in the Square now.” said Mr iToombs. “They are too busy working.” Members of rival gangs (have even worked together on the same jobs, and | behaved “perfectly.” ■ . “This is one of the most 'exciting things that has hapipened in Christchurch,” said Mr Vaeliki Te Kiu, of the i Ministry of Recreation and Sport, which pays Mr Hau’s I salary. “This support group

has proved to be a way for the community to get involved, without the Govern- ! I ment, and to me it is very [worth while.” • : Although the members of I the support group now tend [lto see the gang members as I individuals rather than gang- • sters, they are realistic. [They do not condone the | possession of dangerous [weapons. “1 told them at a meeting.” said Rongo Nihoniho, [chairman of the group, -j “ ‘we will help you as far as Iwe can, but if you want to •go firearms — finish. The 'armed offenders squad can hook after you’.” I The Polynesian Support > Group has shunned publicity, fearing that it might ; have a bad effect on its I! work. But it is concerned - now that in the wake of I'gang trouble in the North Island, the Government might pass legislation affecting all gangs. “It would be wrong for [•people to see all gangs as Ithe same, when some are ; i trying to do the best they 'lean.” Mr Te Kiu said.