Access group probes gang-linked company

Press, 2 December 1989, Page 10

Access group probes gang-linked company

By

CULLEN SMITH

A Christchurch company linked with the Highway 61 motor-cycle gang has been suspended from running Access employment courses. The Regional Employment and Access Council began an inquiry this week into the affairs of the Ko 0 Ringa Mahi, Ltd, company, suspending four Access courses due to start on Monday. Company accounts were being audited after a visit by Access staff found only two trainees attending a course instead of eight, the council’s chairman, Mr Frank Crothall, said last evening. A private company with two main shareholders, Ko O Ringa Mahi, Ltd, has been involved in Access training since 1987. Mr Crothall said the company had links with the Highway 61 gang but was not established by the gang. “It is the only company or organisation in Canterbury with gang affiliations that the Regional Employment and Access Council deals with,” he said.

Access staff visited the company five times this year during regular monitoring. “We had a few concerns about the company, but nothing specific because the company is also involved in commercial operations as well as providing Access training,” Mr Crothall said. Ko 0 Ringa Mahi was running five Access

courses involving about 40 trainees 10 days ago. Courses included logging and fencing and participants trained off-site at a number of places. Only one of the courses was operating on site when Access staff visited, but Mr Crothall said they were concerned to find only two trainees instead of eight. One of the principal shareholders was unable to give specific information. “We deemed it appropriate to immediately ask for an audit of the oganisation to make sure the Access parts arid the commercial parts of the company were kept distinct,” Mr Crothall said. The council has suspended four courses which were to have started on Monday involving about 32 trainees in wood and leather carving, mechanics, logging and surface preparation (for the painting industry). The council had since been told the trainees were absent on the day of the staff visit because they were preparing for an end-of-course function the next day. “I don’t consider that unreasonable," Mr Crothall said. Asked why the council proceeded with an audit of the company, Mr Crothall said: “Because we are custodians of public money.” Neither of the company’s principal shareholders could be reached for comment.