Mongrel Mob crash: Police on standby at funeral

Mongrel Mob members gather for the tangi. Photo / Warren Buckland

There was a dominant police presence in Wairoa yesterday following tangi for two of the three men killed in last Saturday's horrific crash.

Mongrel Mob members Ronald Rangi Rigby, 53, and Terry Shane Stone, 31, were laid to rest during ceremonies.

Nathan Conway Isaac, 29, was mourned at a ceremony in Ruakiture, a township an hour from Wairoa, yesterday.

Police were on standby during the funeral to make sure it went smoothly. Photo / Warren Buckland

Crowds of mongrel mob members, family and friends coloured the Wairoa cemetery red where Mr Stone was laid to rest.

Car loads of people arrived wearing red bandannas, black stahlhelms, and leather jackets patched with the face of a bulldog.

Police patrols were set up to ensure the crowd's procession from the funeral, held at a suburban address, to the cemetery went without a hitch.

Mourners with tattooed faces made traditional Mongrel Mob barking sounds as they accompanied Mr Stone's body to burial.

Screaming "sieg heil," they made the mongrel mob gang hand sign to each other as well as onlookers.

The sea of red was spliced with hi-vis vests as Maori wardens were also enlisted for the huge crowds expected.

Police preparations for the day included dialogue with gang members as well as Wairoa Mayor Craig Little.

Local police refused to comment when asked on Saturday about the day's events, but Mr Little said the day had been "all good, no worries at all".

"At this stage I can't fault anything that's happening in the place."

Mr Little said he would probably visit the local gang leaders soon.

He also said he recalled not long ago meeting with Mr Rigby for a catch up.

After Mr Stone's burial the bulk of mourners convoyed across the Wairoa bridge to join fellow mob members at Mr Rigby's funeral.

Set back from the road at Takitimu Marae, hundreds spilled down the driveway.