KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's gang problem has been laid out for all the world to see, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, a leading expert says.
Jarrod Gilbert has spent years studying New Zealand gangs for his university thesis, including spending time inside the organisations, and he shared his knowledge with Time magazine's South Pacific edition.
"It's an underside of New Zealand society that I don't think we want to confront . . ," Mr Gilbert said.
"One positive outcome of this article may well be that people look to reflect on this issue and we make some positive steps forward in dealing with it."
The Time report focuses on the violent behaviour of US-styled youth gangs in South Auckland.
"With its remote location, small population and favourable international reputation, New Zealand is regarded as a pleasant and peaceful place to live," the Time article reads. "Yet this island nation harbours a small, unique and brutal street-gang culture that has defied authorities for more than 30 years and now appears to be nurturing a new, more violent mutation."
Mr Gilbert said an "equally good article" could have been written with a more positive slant. "But potentially then you would have gone into some communities where people would have complained that it under-represented the problem."
He said he was disappointed with the portrayal, once again, of South Auckland as a gang haven.
"The vast majority of South Auckland is a great place to live. It's got brilliant culture, the vast majority of people are law-abiding and great citizens."
The Time reporter visited New Zealand amid the debate following the gang shooting of Wanganui toddler Jhia Te Tua.
Mr Gilbert said it had to be recognised that all Western nations had gang problems.
No comparative studies had been done, but "I suspect we are line with other countries", he said.
"Gangs aren't really any threat at all to the vast majority of New Zealanders, on a day-to-day level anyway."
South Auckland youth worker Sully Paea, who was also quoted by Time, said authorities were only now starting to "hear our voices" about the gang problem.
He said the international coverage may not look good, but "[the gang issue] is something where the country needs to admit we have failed, and the key thing for the future is to put our heads together."
