Gang member extradited to Australia

A motorcycle gang member allegedly involved in gang violence in Australia has been extradited from New Zealand.

Rebels member Peter Douglas Rauhina, 38, was allowed to visit New Zealand to attend his mother's funeral late last year, despite facing serious violence charges in Queensland.

Instead of returning across the Tasman, he spent the last five months in custody, after being arrested in New Plymouth last November following a domestic assault, The Dominion Post reported.

Charges of injuring with intent and disorderly behaviour relating to that incident were withdrawn in January, and on April 17 Rauhina was extradited to Australia by consent.

Judge Michael Radford suppressed the order for 10 days because of concern for Rauhina's safety.

In Australia, Rauhina faces a range of charges, among them grievous bodily harm, going armed to cause fear, affray, perjury and assault while in company.

Most of the charges related to an incident near Caboolture, north of Brisbane, in 2007 in which Rebels members allegedly attacked members of the Bandidos gang with baseball bats and lengths of timber. Three gang members ended up in hospital.

- NZPA