Australasian Biker News
Waitangi marae used to 'recruit gang members'
NZ. - A North Island gang used free food and drink to entice young Maori
during a "recruitment drive" at Waitangi's Te Tii Marae on Waitangi Day,
a Cabinet minister says.
The Tribesmen motorcycle gang set up a stall, surrounded by motorcycles,
to attract new members during annual celebrations last week, Shane Jones
said yesterday.
He said the marae should "wake up" and stop young Maori from being
bullied and intimidated into a life of drugs and crime. "It is a
disgrace, especially handing out free food and drink. By allowing this,
the marae is sending young Maori families a bad message.
"Gang presence does not enhance Maori culture. Obviously gangs in
Northland are conveniently operating under the cloak of Maori culture,
and they are hoping that the marae will become receptive to them. What a
joke.
"This is ominous. They [gangs] are a menace to their own people, who
they bully and intimidate into a life of crime and drugs."
Te Tii Marae was supporting crime by allowing the gang to promote itself
on the grounds, he said.
A spokesman for the marae said he knew Tribesmen members were at Te Tii,
but could not confirm if the gang set up a stall to attract new members
on Waitangi Day. "There were some bikies there, eh. They seemed to be
all right."
Mr Jones will hold meetings this week with Police Minister Annette King
and Northland police to find a solution to the situation.
"A lot of people are afraid of gangs or have indifferent feelings about
them. We have to act now before it is too late," he said.
He had been told the gang was at the marae to teach people about its
tribal connections, but was dubious that this would change people's
attitudes. He feared the "colonising" of the marae by gangs would stop
people from attending future Waitangi Day celebrations.
"This is a brazen attempt by the gang to exert their presence. The
situation has been building for a couple of years and will continue to
get worse if nothing is done.
"When you are trying to establish your brand in the market, the first
thing you do is give away freebies. The fact people were getting
something for free is a very sinister ploy designed to attract young,
vulnerable whanau."
Mr Jones did not approach the gang on Waitangi Day because he was there
to "uphold the spirit of the day and the less I have to do with gangs
the better"