Ring girls, Brooke West, left, and Sharn Daley with fighters Belair Mahanga of Whangarei Mangukaha and Henry Wikaire of the Mongrel Mob NZ Rotorua.
Ring girls, Brooke West, left, and Sharn Daley with fighters Belair Mahanga of Whangarei Mangukaha and Henry Wikaire of the Mongrel Mob NZ Rotorua.
They might have been some of New Zealand's most hardened criminals but the law was laid down loud and clear by their own - behave yourself.
Organisers of the mixed martial arts tournament, where gang rivals throw punches in the ring in a bid to halt bloodshed, has told those attending to "be clean" to guarantee the future of the event.
Herbert Rata told a crowd of about 100 gang fighters and associates gathered at the weigh-in at Distinction Hotel, on Riverside Dr, how they behaved at today's event staged at Portland would determine if the event was held again.
"We want this to happen in the years to come. How we act will determine that," Mr Rata said.
"If you aren't here to play the game. If you didn't come with the right kaupapa, I'll hand your money back now."
He warned police would be in the area and checking them as they travelled to the event at Portland Community Centre and he urged every one to be clean.
Whangarei and Kaipara police Inspector Justin Rogers confirmed additional officers were being used during the day and night as they were aware of the increased gang numbers in the area.
"It's not an unlawful event for them to hold but we don't support them staging this event."
Spokesman for the fight event ex-gang member Tokomauri Hoterene said the kaupapa, the purpose of the event, was to ease tensions and get gang members talking after the gang-related killings in Northland in the past year.
He hoped the camaraderie showed at the weigh-in, with so many rival gangs under one roof, carried through to the fight event.
"Spirits are high and we are all here for one purpose and that's to come together to make the nation aware that we can get along as gang members, as people.
Spokesman for the fight event ex-gang member Tokomauri Hoterene said the kaupapa, was to ease tensions and get gang members talking after the gang related killings in Northland in the past year.
He said it had been difficult to find a venue and had called on family members associated with Portland Rugby League to support them.
"It's about issues being settled. Small issues and big issues. At least we can get together and control it and not let it spill out on to the street into the public view.
The weigh-in yesterday had the razzmatazz of any big fight night event with dancers, singers and ring girls. Fighters had to pass a medical check and jump on the scales.
Members of the Head Hunters, Nomads, Mongrel Mob, Black Power, Filthy Few, Nomads and Stormtroopers have been pitted against each other in the 20 fights on the card.
One of those yet to meet their match was Palmerston North gang member Te-Kai-Po Ahuriri, representing the Stormtroopers Outlaw chapter.
Palmerston North gang member Te-Kai-Po Ahuriri, representing the Stormtroopers Outlaw chapter.
The gang colonel said he supported the kaupapa and said such an event should have been staged well before now.
"I take my hat off to these guys for getting it together. We have to show our kids and grandkids there is another route to take to solve issues. This is how real men sort things out."
Mr Ahuriri had known John Henry Harris, a patched Tribesmen member, who died of a single gunshot wound to the chest after he was driven by two men to the St John Ambulance station on Western Hills Dr, last October.
Josh Gaitau, Chris Butler and Albert Harris of the Head Hunters at the weigh in.
Shane Jones said the event was simply to promote gangs and recruit.
He questioned what good bringing additional gang criminals to Northland would achieve. He said gang members from other regions should stay there.
"We have enough criminal kutus in Whangarei without these people from southern gangs coming to Northland.
"It's not a flash look for Whangarei and not a flash look for Northland."
