Police checkpoints at Mt Roskill Auckland King Cobras gang gathering

King Cobras meet in Mt Roskill. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

Hundreds of King Cobras gang members in their patched vests are spilling out of a Mt Roskill function centre this morning, smoking, hugging and chatting.

The congregation at the Manhattan catered function room, usually utilised for weddings, is believed to be the annual general meeting of the Auckland-based gang.

The gang members appeared in a jovial mood as of 10am today as other members of the public went about their Saturday morning shopping on Dominion Rd just 20m round the corner.

King Cobras meet in Mt Roskill. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

The King Cobras members were gathering in clear sight and wandering casually onto the asphalt on Jasper Rd where the Manhattan is situated. They had parked their bikes and vehicles in a car park across the road.

A few hundred metres away, around the corner on Mount Albert Rd, police have set up a roadblock checkpoint and are breathalising nearly all passing motorists.

King Cobras meet in Mt Roskill. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

There is a relatively large police presence at the roadblock, including a car with flashing lights in the middle of the road and a dozen officers on their feet.

As yet, it does not seem any of the gang members have been stopped driving through the police checkpoint.

NZ Police confirmed in a statement they are monitoring the event “as is standard practice for any large gathering such as this”.

Hundreds of King Cobras gang members in their patched vests spilling out of an Auckland function centre today.

Police indicated they are not aware of any planned rides through Auckland by the gang members today following the AGM.

The crowd of around 200 patched King Cobras all entered the Manhattan function centre around 11:45am. For the past hour there has been a small group of gang members filtering in and out of the function centre and relaxing on tables and chairs out front.

The police road block on Mount Albert Rd ended this morning but police patrol cars have been circling the Manhattan function centre all day through the Mount Roskill side streets.

Shortly before 2pm today the entirety of the King Cobras gathering exited back out of the Manhattan onto Jasper Rd after several hours inside. The crowd is again streaming onto the road.