Michael Laws on Gang Violence in New Zealand

[@jeffyoung345]

Defund NZ Mainstream Media....

[@FKTHESYSTEM063]

Yes yes yes. Some “unconnected sense” once known as common sense.

[@MrDmunk]

As a taxpayer id rather pay for them in jail for life than on the benefit for life. On a social level they are without a doubt The biggest money draining issue nz has ever faced.

[@kotukuwhakapiko467]

Bro the government printing money is the biggest scandal .. Since 1971 .

[@davesimpson5185]

I'd sooner they be 6 feet under, but if I can't get that life in prison will do.

[@hubristicmystic]

Isn’t that the treaty?

[@cameronlabone6050]

Now how do you reckon they will peacefully line up for that?

[@mikestray76]

In terms of social harm, alcohol is by far the biggest drain on taxpayers. 90% plus of all domestic violence is fueled by alcohol and I think it's 85% of all violent crime. Then you have to add costs to the health system associated with alcohol use, etc. Of all the recreational drugs people use it is the most dangerous and costly to society and is legal.

[@cyrillawless]

Sweden is very concerned about gang violence and gun crime and are considering using the army to help the police. They have 66,000 people in gangs or affiliated to gangs in a country of ten million. We are a country of five million with 50,000 gang or gang affiliated members with gang violence and gun crime shy rocketing. Maybe we should consider the same.

[@runforrestrun1965]

Refuse any gang member the benefit. Seems they actively choose to live outside society’s rules, they shouldn’t benefit from society. I can hear the outcry now…

[@johnr3150]

I do think that is what National is trying to do by making it harder for long term beneficiaries like gang members to keep getting benefits. I really hope it works.

[@manamauri]

most of them arent on a benefit they make moneyother ways being on the dole they can be easily be tracked

[@mikestray76]

How does MSD know if someone is a gang member or not?

[@patriciatehaate236]

Bahaha don't really need the Bene , what about you ?

[@patriciatehaate236]

@@manamauri yes

[@bigthinker281]

Michael dropping truth bombs on a daily.

[@angron666]

Gangs should be treated as domestic terrorists under the law because that is exactly what they are.

[@user-FUCKYOU18]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@williamearnshaw410]

​@@user-FUCKYOU18....typical response from a terroist!!

[@patriciatehaate236]

Are you kidding 😳 bahaha

[@angron666]

@iatehaate236 Domestic Terriosm = A person that engages in domestic terrorism if they do an act “dangerous to human life” that is a violation of the criminal laws . So bahaha, no I am not kidding.

[@patriciatehaate236]

@angron666 bahaha it won't make an ounce of difference

[@AntoniaAllison-v8d]

Good to hear - to the psychological importance of gang patch wearing and again - to the one sided media onslaught at National policies.

[@delinquentinparadise]

Regarding Media. There should be no more money give to Media of any sort. We, the taxpayers are giving hundreds of millions of dollars to private news Companies that, because of taxpayers money (given without taxpayers consent) are saved from financial failure. It is not the function of taxpayers to subsidise Media of any sort. If Luxon is serious about saving money the taxpayer would be happy to stop this subsidy of Media.

[@patriciatehaate236]

Yup paying media for utter bullshit

[@patriciatehaate236]

So true I remember more than once Nzh calling me to subscribe glade I didnt

[@dallasfrost1996]

Well said Michael!

[@OXSEnterprises]

This has to be one if the best takes of broadcasting on any topic I've heard. Well done Michael 👏

[@dougbulldog9947]

Thank you, Michael, nice work!

[@tpaine1815]

Worst Book-a-Bach experience I have ever had was in Opotoki. Rat poo; completely broken down furniture and an owner who denied everything.

[@patriciatehaate236]

So I've heard

[@patriciatehaate236]

Nothing like laying a beach butt naked sipping on a tequila 🤪 well..so I hear. I'm from Opotiki where was the Bach ? I might know the horrible owners

[@Abc1231x1]

Because the gangs are cowards and pray on the weak!

[@user-FUCKYOU18]

But still alot of people joining them So being a coward is a way of life now

[@moniquebode1655]

Yea they're bullies

[@patriciatehaate236]

Well actually Gangs fight amongst themselves you likely had a bad experience by wannabes

[@cyrillawless]

I had a young fellow working for me on my fishing boat who was a nice fun hard working young fellow. When we got home he would put on his black gear and when he got off he was unrecognisable with a bad sulky attitude.

[@FKTHESYSTEM063]

Then the homies will have the “before I starve ima steal , before I die ima kill” mentality. Anyway don’t be a hater because you have to work to live and debt up to your 40hours a week 😂

[@J67844]

Works in Australia. But they are equipped with military style police squads called Raptor squads. Plus the gangs in Australia dont scream racism and victimhood.

[@CMP-st5wh]

Exactly, the "dats waycist!" Crowd will stand in the way of any real progress.

[@adsdft585]

Good to see M Laws share personal experiences.

[@hankslapper]

Bang on Michael

[@runforrestrun1965]

Spot on Michael.

[@antihebrew]

I grew up in Taita in Lower Hutt. I couldn't go to the local schools because I'm White. My parents had to go private so I wouldn't get mauled.

[@AmonAnon-vw3hr]

Grew up in Gisborne and it was the same. My family was too poor to afford private school so I just had to hack it lol.

[@adsdft585]

This happened. Which is sad.

[@adsdft585]

​@@AmonAnon-vw3hrHow does world reduce type of influence?

[@antihebrew]

@@NA-sj9jy Does it go the other way? Like if Maori are a minority in a majority White school, do the White students hold them upside down by the ankles and flush their heads in the toilets?🤔

[@johnnyboy1586]

Yeah you'd have to be one tough white boy to survive!

[@Randymountaine]

I live near Kainga Ora units and 2 of the units have Mongrel mob members in them. It's an absolute nightmare, this area has devolved into a gang ghetto, tagging on fences, huge parties that last days, cars broken into, violence, rubbish and junk, car burnouts, intimidation, threats, drug dealing, dog fighting, domestic assaults... list goes on. Myself and the other quiet tenants complained and very little gets done. Gangs appear free to do as they like in the poorer areas and it's true the wealthy people have absolutely no idea what its like. Police often don't even arrive anymore.

[@reid6462]

Opotiki has been taken over by gangs, ordinary people are being held to ransom, and totally intimidated by the gang members.

[@chrisroger4416]

the mayor is mates with them lol investigate him

[@olliemoose2020]

Thing’s have to change in NZ were gangs are concerned.

[@patriciatehaate236]

Do you live in Opotiki?

[@gitanoespana7694]

Recently I stopped in Opotiki and didn't see any gang members much less stood over and held to ransom and intimidated. You obviously don't live there. I live fairly close and travel through there regularly. I don't condone unruly gang behaviour but I suggest you get your facts right.

[@seanodwyer4322]

@@gitanoespana7694 allot off these humans live Double lives. - @@@ suits/ Patches what ever too suit.

[@iamnotarobot2378]

Bravo Michael.

[@auditor100]

Absolutely brilliant. Thank you from a 69 year old white Kiwi male who just got educated. Thank you also for your integrity and courage to share your experiences with us.

[@stewatparkpark2933]

No other first world country puts up with it .

[@paulhughes7366]

well said Michael long time overdue

[@francisheperi4180]

Bring in the army too.

[@peterjones5353]

No

[@user-FUCKYOU18]

They get destroyed by civilian army

[@seanodwyer4322]

China Military - perhaps.

[@iainseymour-hart3347]

New Zealanders must feel safe when going about their business. Thank you Michael for your update. Keep up the great work!

[@patriciatehaate236]

You are right best comment

[@michaelcornell55]

If nothing else the policy/law on gang patches will send a clear message to all criminals. Then we have to wait for the police to actually do something such as enforcing all criminal laws with vigour.

[@AmonAnon-vw3hr]

They won't though. I guarantee it. NZ police work backwards. If your a law abiding pakeha they rage and go hard, rifles and all but if you're a Maori gang member it's all smiles, jokes and "hey guys, hahaha don't worry about it"

[@davidmccormick3742]

All credit to you Mr Laws! You’ve successfully summed up the New Zealand 🇳🇿 gang situation particularly well! Too Marks! Regards Dave McC

[@adsdft585]

Intimidation! This happens in many situation.

[@chrisseaton222]

Porirua and Whitby in Wellington have the same problem

[@chrisroger4416]

in Cannonbs creek if theres a gang tangi they literally overtake the town i got shouted at and swore at cos i didnt pull over in time cos the gang took both sides of the road police were outnumbered and did nothing

[@daveyboy6985]

Had a friend who's mother lived in cannibals creek in the 70s. Once my mate and I caught a bus to go and see her , when we got off the bus my mate said to me half jokingly, run before we get mugged.😅

[@bennichols1113]

The poster in northeast valley dunedin for the "party to end prisons" is a perfect example of what you speak of.

[@chriskiwi2601]

Well said Michael. 👍

[@annettearundel2491]

Great journalism! Thank you...

[@J.Smith-rc6wh]

America had a italian and japanese gang problem UNTIL they started treating them like gangs, once RICO laws came into effect(laws which specifically target gang organisations), now no gang problem, great work Michael

[@nzmarco]

And then the Russian mafia and the Bloods and Crips moved in and so did the cartels. Stop making America sound like some sort of utopia.

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

Jewmerica 👁

[@nzmarco]

Then came the Russian mafia, the street gangs and the Cartels. Don't make America to be some sort of utopia. And what happened to freedom of speech? Why delete my comment?

[@henkmagnetic3103]

So they've got rid of the Mafia, have they?

[@IanRobinson-y4o]

Nailed.

[@EamesBrulee]

Brilliant piece - well said, clearly reasoned - respect.

[@margaretsweetman9283]

Brilliant media source, you get the truth. Well done Michael.

[@angelakuru3914]

Maybe take a leaf out of El Salvador 🇸🇻 book. Bekele sorted out his country

[@user-FUCKYOU18]

El Salvador had the highest murder rate in the world Nz can't even matched that

[@adsdft585]

School communities. Good to see you highlighted economic issues.

[@stephenc8956]

But it's not foremost an economic problem

[@nathaniellavery1862]

cut off all benefits. build more prisons. young ones will learn quick

[@patriciatehaate236]

Won't work, prisons are the education centers for gang prospectors.

[@patriciatehaate236]

You need to stop praising gangs

[@martingray6275]

How about NO LONGER making ANY reports or mentions of gangs, their activity, etc? Almost daily there are articles reporting their presence or some activity.. .almost all of them against the law we regualr kiwis must abide by, and whilst some police action does get taken, the elevation to national media is just more fuel on the fire for gang presence and recruitment

[@user-FUCKYOU18]

I'm NOT gang member but the laws are crooked

[@geoffthompson6217]

Have to say michael laws has more guts than all of our politicians,and makes more honest sense,and has not budged an inch for decades.well said Michael.

[@hartley9958]

I remember when Labour came out and declared the gangs as Iwi, i'm part Maori with family members who were part of these gangs and they ain't iwi tbey are criminal gangs who Labour supported and allowed to prosper...

[@Tru-k4d]

@hartley9958 Who are you to say who we are & are not, we aren't all criminals, when the police commit crimes & the priests of the church pedophile are they all criminals? biggest liars & propaganda merchants are the media, who persecute & run down good whanaus,

[@thomasr246]

Perfectly said

[@mikeZL3XD7029]

Michael, Was the Opotiki thing about the funeral of a gang leader, where we saw gang members riding on the fronts and roofs of vehicles with no prosecution from the Police? Personally, our Police, with all their tatts, have no balls to bring our gangs under control.

[@reid6462]

It's as obvious as day follows night. Simple truth.😮

[@REwing]

What did the greens and Labour do to help???

[@pgreen8531]

They will do absolutely nothing to curb this criminal behavior

[@donnrutherford7059]

They did shovel out 3 million of taxpayers money to one of these gangs if im correct

[@andrews127]

Nothing!

[@antihebrew]

What do all the gangs share in common? Is there a phenotype that would alert you to the presence of a violent criminal, or do we just go by gang patches?

[@tiatamara11]

there is one for you as well....both parties are no good.

[@antihebrew]

@@tiatamara11 I'm not a criminal.

[@tiatamara11]

You are like them. @@antihebrew

[@AmonAnon-vw3hr]

@tiatamara11 internet comments you dislike aren't criminal lol

[@tiatamara11]

the penny didn't drop...@@AmonAnon-vw3hr

[@Jack-rc1yl]

Well put Michael.So true. leftist ideology is an anathema to enlightenment.

[@petedavies408]

Drove through at the weekend,it’s depressing ,has two VERY good coffee shops though, which you need after the drive from Gisborne

[@adsdft585]

E.g Our current PM would never live in some parts of his electorate. And for good reason. My dad's old school mate ending living in Otara in the 1950s. They both grew up in Folkstone, England. We grew up in Glen Innes. Bill said his suburb change in a negative way over the years. Glen Innes changed but to lessor degree. What see is society changes. This one reason a guy from UK Mr. Fisher started a movement to change thing to suit his view and may be a better way.

[@jjbraddock2702]

Bring in the military!

[@pietdebeer7972]

100% agree. Well said.

[@kimgregory8945]

Excellent

[@CoolCoyote]

good move, we make sure they do not wear any of that stuff on our property of business, gangs have less rights as they should since the purpose of a 'gang' is to break the law to suit their own agender. it doesnt matter if you do not know who the 'gang members' are at any given moment, its the fact that they cannot wear that crap around town and piss off the locals is the main point. i could careless they belong to a gang. I only care whether they break the law or not.

[@bennichols1113]

So are woke gang going to have hair dye banned?

[@chrisroger4416]

Cannons creek if theres a gang tangi they literally overtake the town i got shouted at and swore at cos i didnt pull over in time cos the gang took both sides of the road police were outnumbered and did nothing

[@chrisroger4416]

they was standinf on top of utes and shit so unsafe

[@StGammon77]

Who pays for these constant tangis? WINZ can only cover so much

[@chrisroger4416]

they usually get 10k from govt@@StGammon77

[@chrisroger4416]

they get 10k at least but they prob get more@@StGammon77

[@chrisroger4416]

about 10k per tangi @@StGammon77

[@traceydouds5159]

Not Bell Block in Taranaki it's Waitara, or maybe Inglewood BTW Waitara is a beautiful town with some very serious incidents as has Inglewood, satellite towns outside New Plymouth, which also has areas. I've enjoyed this and honestly truth. Thank You

[@kiwitoffee]

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has addressed the gang problem with remarkable success. Apparently, gang members are either shot dead by the authorities or locked up. Either way, the gangs are disappearing from the streets and the people of El Salvador can go about their business without living in terror.

[@Tru-k4d]

@kiwitoffee are you living in terror? Gangs have been around for 50-60 yrs, & the crime rate is nothing compared to south America, NZ jails are not just filled with gang members, there are many walks of life for assorted crimes

[@kiwitoffee]

@Tru-k4d no, I don't believe I'm living in terror though I do feel uncomfortable when I see gang members on the street and on their bikes. Those living in terror are their families, their neighbours and most people who have any dealings with them.

[@paulwhitehead4449]

Dead right Michael.

[@Peter-kk6rg]

All talk no action

[@mikestray76]

Didn't Michael try and ban patches in Whanganui?? From memory Hell's Angels took him to court and won so the law was overturned. What makes anyone think anything will be any different this time around.

[@Theresaisabiologicalwoman]

👏 Michael

[@kennethcrafar6971]

Michael Laws as Mayor of Wanganui passed Council laws banning gang insignia. These were overturned by our NZ Courts?

[@jodiberntsen]

It was a controversial thing at the time. I am in a Social MC which is not a gang, We wear our insignia. Theres BACA for instance.. Bikers Against Child Abuse etc etc.. It easy enough to put a vest over the top. 20 years ago there were only 3 gangs, car bombings in the pepper block , Talbot Street,were never published in the paper as it was soo normal lolol. The bylaw back then was a huge fail as it didnt include the State Highways that run through the town. Theres no respect for kids now , gang fights in the McDonalds around the country, bashing non maori elders etc etc.. Jacintas hugs really helped..

[@ronaldwarren1267]

How can the courts rule like that those thugs don't give a shit bout anybody else

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

...jewdiciously! 🤐

[@CMP-st5wh]

@Anony_mouse2 your frothing obsession is as irrelevant as your opinion lol.

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

@@CMP-st5wh you'll find out. Might take another lifetime or 1000 in this realm of sorrows. Get serious or stay a slave...your choice. Oh and I like you have free will to do with my time what I choose. Choose wisely "Seek Higher' 🙋‍♂️💛

[@adsdft585]

Uniforms have this effect. A gang patch is a issue. A business suit and a tie has an intimidation effect but different one.

[@CMP-st5wh]

No it doesn't lol.

[@laneroberts007]

Great talk

[@Andrew-vd2ko]

Question, what happens when a gang member has a facial Tattoo or gang patch tattooed on or into their skin? How are those people going to be treated??? Is the state going CUT them off or force the person get them LASERED OFF????

[@nathaniellavery1862]

I'm happy with either of those options. "options" means choices.,. in case you were confused.

[@antihebrew]

They made all of us wear masks for ages, remember? They can do likewise to men with gang logos on their faces. If they refuse, arrest them.

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

Face tattoos rock ✊🏽🤠

[@AmonAnon-vw3hr]

@Anony_mouse2 cool emojis old top lol

[@antihebrew]

"WEAR YOUR MASK!!!!"

[@adsdft585]

J Anderson needs think harder about what is saying.

[@Chris70n24]

Is it the gun that kills or the person pulling the trigger? The pros and cons. I'm thinking that there maybe consequences of patch removal policies also. The cons maybe that a gang member in public without a patch would then not be recognised as such. If your walking down the road and notice a patch what might you do as apposed to not noticing a non patched?

[@patriciatehaate236]

Opotiki didnt close the town down, most people are related to gangs and were likely at the Tangi .

[@CMP-st5wh]

Heinous.

[@user-FUCKYOU18]

This is nothing new

[@mrpaisleyshirt]

Good on you Michael, that's the absolute truth. This "type" don't always target their own kind though. As a kid at school I suffered from bullying and intimidation tactics almost on a daily basis. It affected me my whole life. Those ass holes no doubt ended up involved in gangs, or in prison for some reason or other when they got older.

[@andrewlim9345]

Would it be possible to interview Stuart Nash?

[@tiatamara11]

No no NZ is going swimmingly....nothin' wrong here!

[@nightnursetaiaotoi]

Gangs are rife.... its embarrassing

[@chrisroger4416]

its the same in wellington in porirua whitby a white place barely crime in cannons creek and porirua suburbs heaps of crime. but now many more maori in whutby a white place and slighty more crime sadly m,y car got broken into for first time more maori and gangs in whitby now

[@andrewoh1663]

Great commentary Michael. That said, I'm not in favour of banning gang patches because I don't trust the police not to misuse the law and apply it where it wasn't intended.

[@lengho6294]

Our polices r timid in eradicating gangs

[@manamauri]

Micheal needs to go out there and do something about it

[@nzvinyasa425]

At least acknowledge that Ōpōtiki has had a lot of investment in the wharf and mussel farm industry….it has been showing some improvement..( thanks to Shane Jones I believe) plus it’s still possible to buy a house there….yes I know the prices are still low due to the terrible reputation but it really has a lot of potential…As for teachers who will work in a decile 1 school… they are the ones who should be receiving top pay because it’s the poverty and education issues that feed/create the gang lifestyles.. However Comancheros is an Australian export, an invasive species, compounding the original problem…. I’ve heard the 501’s receive 1 week accommodation and a few hundred dollars when they arrive….We could have prevented a lot of problems by refining systems to incorporate them…Or send them back to Australia and tell Aus we’re not accepting their interpretation of the law…. That’s the biggest gang issue in my view…& it distracts from the “local” gang issues…. That said, I agree with removing patches in public ☮️

[@adsdft585]

M Laws is saying that one needs break down social connects.

[@markhindmarsh9360]

I stopped recently in opotiki for lunch,first time since 1980.Place was clean,with historical buildings and architecture.Lovely place with a peaceful feeling.l live in Whanganui,the reason thief of vechiles in the poor areas is they don’t own garages and high fences with security lights and cameras.

[@andrewlim9345]

I deliver pizzas in South Dunedin including Caversham, Calton Hill and St Kilda and St Clair. Have met gang members on a few occasions. Mongrel mob used to congregate at a house near Queen's High School.

[@kiwi792]

some sense from the media. Thanks!

[@cycodamo]

Simplistic view from a simple mind

[@greybuckleton]

Hey you forgot brand new teachers, they sometimes have to take whatever job is going. Or people how live rurally.

[@dracovenit9549]

I agree with a lot about what he is saying, other than "white" and "brown" etc. That is not NZ culture. Since when are people "white" and "brown" etc? Only a tiny minority of people think like that. NZ was never a "white" nation, it was a British one. Maori are not "brown", they are Maori... anyone can look "brown" (including many people racists would call "white") therefore it is meaningless to call someone that as it does not provide any prediction about their behaviour.

[@goatculler]

Bill of rights cannot and should not be broken I would rather know who walks into my business than not knowing- take a pub this could cause a fight without you realizing who was who? Problem is : decades of past neo liberal policies created social and economic poverty -we cannot ban this or arrest your way out of this-politicians need to take responsibility on agendas they empowered-where is the love today

[@tpaine1815]

Yeah, we get it Mr Laws. Your point is.....

[@StGammon77]

His point is tiki tane kaka

[@Hapistudios]

I would rather know who is a gangster than them not wearing a uniform, the worst gangs dont wear uniforms

[@lloydholland6475]

Correct your correct

[@gamecodecgi]

isn't it fonganui now

[@gsd4me00]

When cuzzzy/bros speak the Kings English we might starting thinking about learning the maori pronunciation. of their words. 🙂

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

Wong gan nui 😑

[@patriciatehaate236]

Me thinks u r intimidated by gangs with your par key ha at tit tude. It's called Right Facists trauma expressed online. But I hardly blame you tho 😢

[@robbocotto6126]

Wonka nui

[@pgreen8531]

Hahahaa good one absolute garbage of a language how can we have respect for the leftist politicians

[@peterchapman8753]

Do what they did in a south american country, army in 100,000 gang members in jail, former worlds worst murder record, 1 year, down by over 90 percent

[@Tru-k4d]

@Peterchapman8753 Why don't you move to south America & then you will get to see first hand why their murder stats are so high...& how laid back NZ gangs are compared to the rest of the world

[@robert3987]

I might add, a great description of New Zealand’s terrible gang cultures.

[@jasonpoihegatama1347]

There are groups (1) who believe it is better to work with the gangs (2) those who believe to gang members should not have any rights and should be locked up. (3) .

[@Ronny.81]

Chloe comes to mind, for some reason

[@paulthomson2288]

Asian countries declared war on drugs and that solved their gang problems. Western countries might consider that as an option too?

[@soup-nazi6824]

Exactly-i holiday in thailand & their police & government put NZ to shame on their crime policies you feel 100% safe walking around at 2am alone-even for women.They execute murderers & people dealing in class A drugs & no one attacks the police because you pay big time...

[@Sicklyconservative]

Opitiki, very good Michael 😂

[@davidmccormick3742]

Mr Laws Is it really a fact That the Police don’t have the resources??? Or are You playing it down to the effect that a fair proportion of the Police these days simply don’t have the Spine? Regards Dave McC