Fence goes up after
Rebels flee
Kristin Edge | 8th July 2011
A concrete slab fence being erected round a
Whangarei business is not gang fortification but a
move by the building owner to boost security.
The Porowini Ave building in central Whangarei -
previously the headquarters for the Rebels
Motorcycle gang - now has a solid fence surrounding
the yard in front of the large commercial building.
Owner Noel Dyer confirmed the Rebels gang were no
longer based in the building.
"My son is building a wall around it to make it more
secure for people who may want to move in," Mr Dyer
said.
The wall had some residents in the Morningside area
worried it could have been linked to the gang and
they contacted police and the Whangarei District
Council.
It seems the whereabouts of the Rebel gang is a
mystery.
Whangarei police don't know where they have moved to
and Mr Dyer said he had no idea where they had gone
after leaving his property.
Area commander Inspector Paul Dimery believed the
Rebels no longer had a city headquarters.
"We don't know for sure and clearly any information
about where they are would be appreciated," he said.
Police were aware two of the Rebels gang members
were helping construct the wall around the Porowini
business.
"We've had police staff down there and have spoken
with the owner who assures us that the Rebels have
moved out."
Whangarei District Council officials said the wall
complied with regulations for buildings zoned as
heavy industrial.
Group manger environment Paul Dell said because it
was in an industrial environment there were fewer
restrictions on fencing.
The Rebels set up in the Porowini Ave building in
April and had their first motorcycle run and
official opening on Easter weekend.
They were subjected to heavy police scrutiny and
moved out of the building a few months later.
Do you know where the Rebels are? email us on
reporters@northernadvocate.co.nz or contact
Whangarei police on 09 430 4500.