Australian bikies planning to take over Tribesmen in NZ

The Rebels MC gang are taking over the Tribesmen in a rebranding process known as

Australia's largest outlaw motorcycle gang has plans to take over a New Zealand gang.

Detective Superintendent Brett Kane, of the Organised and Financial Crime Agency, said the Rebels MC gang was already taking over the Tribesmen in a rebranding process known as "patching over".

"There are some New Zealand nationals who have joined that club - their chapters in Australia - and have taken on leadership roles. Then you have those nationals travelling across the Tasman.

"There are familial ties to New Zealand and through that expansion we have this desire to establish here in New Zealand."

The gang has been linked to methamphetamine manufacturing and murders and in one raid police seized drugs, firearms and even a crocodile.

It has an estimated 2000 members in Australia but Mr Kane could not say how many members it had in New Zealand.

A group of about 12 patched Rebels MC members and "hangers-on", who were on motorcycles and in vehicles, were spotted by police at Auckland Airport on Wednesday.

The group had planned to greet another member who was arriving from Australia but that person was refused entry here by Customs staff when it became apparent he was known to the authorities.

Mr Kane said other members who were known criminals had been allowed into the country because they were travelling on New Zealand passports.

"At this stage it's a bit of a moving feast, but we know that they've got plans to establish themselves here and that's really what we are looking to really focus on and disrupt.

"We'll be looking at the full force of law enforcement to do that, right across government agencies. You name it, we'll be looking at every opportunity to exploit to make sure that they don't get a foothold in here.

"We don't intend to put a welcome mat out for these people."

On the topix.com website, a person writing under the username REBEL New Zealand wrote in December: "Yes my friends, the Rebels are here. Launching in January they have chapters in Northland, Auckland, Thames, Manawatu and Christchurch so far."

Police Minister Judith Collins said the gang's efforts would be meet with a firm response from police and government agencies.