KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
KC
Does she want us to listen to the Black Power and Mongrel Mob? In Whakatane they showed what gutless cowards they are yesterday. The gangs need to be eliminated from society not listened to. This women has no idea and has no place in Parliament. She's a disgrace to the Maori people she represents in Parliament.
Chieftain
What does Ms Turia believe the gangs would be able to contribute to such a discussion? And if change in Society resulted from the discussion, would change in gang behaviour also result? Would gangs cease producing criminals and committing crimes, and begin being productive taxpaying members of Society instead? If so, I think the discussion is well worth having. Why not? Nobody says Society has to implement their recommendations if they don't make any sense. And if positive change in gang behaviour doesn't result, Society can always revert back to using law enforcement to bring them down. It never hurts to talk: it should always be our first option.
Bill (USA)
Lots of hate on here. It is blatant classism - blended with racism. I am shocked how many comments include the word "exterminate" gangs arise because the poor and disenfranchised of society must create economy and community for themselves when the wealthy and the politicians ignore them. When they are acknowledged it is with a demeaning sense of disgust.
Persecution only causes them to feel more separate and thus feel more justified in stealing from the rich. If you open you up conversation with them and try to include them and listen to them as equals (which they are) you will be more effective in both lowering crime and improving their lives. It is long and difficult process that is constantly hindered by individuals on both sides refusing to believe that the lines of economic class and race can (or should) be crossed. Of course it is much easier to say "they are gross, they are less than us, throw them all in jail" - but it is also totally ineffective and counter productive.
Tree (Otara)
Gangs are just a bunch of people who drink, party, partake in criminal activity - mimicking American gangs. We should line up all 'gangsters' and shoot them because they clearly don't want to live or enjoy what positive and good there is in life. Everyone has a choice, stop blaming society for gangs existing. It's an individual's choice to join and it's individuals being collective in their choice to stuff up their lives even more. Life is hard but it's no excuse to join a gang and take the easy road. Good hard work keeps you honest and more appreciative of life. Things could be worse could be born in a country that's war-torn, no food, no shelter, no protection, no anything. Gangs show how some people are so uneducated. You don't have to be a genius to know that there's more to life. Turia I give you props for bringing this up, but you can't change that part of society or other's perspectives of gangs by just 'listening'. What will it sound like Turia? "Boo hoo, I had a hard life so I'm going to join a gang, because gang life is so much better". Yeah right, stop making excuses. But all and all I'm sure Turia is a gang member, we all just need to 'listen' to her.
Maori
To Tariana: How many of your Whakapapa Whanau are in the Black Power or Mongrel Mob? Is this why you are so concerned? Me thinks not. You are just spouting off as only you and your side kick Pete know how to. Roll on next year were we can hope you and yours are gone for good.
Warren
My thought in reading what she had to say is simply, nothing else has worked, or is working. Not even the threat of law, or even harm to their own families as it seems. As much as we dislike the gangs in NZ, and certainly disapprove of any action that would seem to legitimise them. There is one saying that comes to mind, "know you enemy". I don't think she is saying 'hey lets just accept them as they are'. I think simply, we need to know where they're at. The crimes of violence, drugs and so on. Are not the cause, but the symptom of gang mentality. We can be informed by opinion of someone holding a PHD. Yet, the PHD opinion offers nothing in the bigger picture, as the values of ethics of gang members are not aligned to mainstream NZ. Because these people in gangs are acting out as the end production of how they perceive and how they see the world and themselves. As we all do. We want to be rid of gangs? Certainly I do, but to achieve that, we need to know where they're at. Like I quoted earlier. "Know you enemy".
Nick
Good on ya Turia, a comment like that does not exactly bode well for your cause or your people. Not even 24 hours after you voiced that criminal organisations have a place in society we have an altercation between two rival factions in your home electorate. Where does society get off on accepting a group of individuals who have no respect for the community they live in, intimidate and frighten people and are major contributor to crime? The social cost is huge! These people are not productive members of society and they don't want to be. They take what they want and ruin innocent peoples lives and quite frankly are a burden on society. I am glade I live overseas is all I can say! We now live in a city of 12 million and not once have we ever felt unsafe compared to the small town we used to live in New Zealand where violent crime was a common occurrence.
A common theme for NZ seems to different rules for certain groups but the buck has to stop with the social acceptance of gangs! It is just common senses.
Craig (England)
When Tariana Turia is suggesting that we listen to gangs, is she also including under the label of "gangs" those groups who hold neo-nazi, racist and anti-Semitic viewpoints? Not really sure what value these groups can add to the debate. Actually I do know, none. There is no question in my mind that many gang members become so due to their low socio-economic position in society, and this is a real concern that must be addressed. However, I cannot see how gangs who base there lives around illegal activities can provide any positive influence in solving this issue. Until all gangs demonstrate that they are happy to exist without resorting to illegal activities they have nothing of value to add.
Spill (Putaruru)
I absolutely do not support Turia's idea regarding the gangs "Idea's for change". I cannot fathom the reason why she would even take this path. What planet is she on? I have been following the Maori party with considerable interest and agree on most of their ideals but if she chooses to support any gang situation in New Zealand then they will definitely not get my vote! Wake up and smell the roses girl!
Son of Bryan (New Plymouth)
It is common knowledge that we should round up all the gang members irrespective of race, put them on an island, give them each a gun with one bullet and then hang the survivor. The second group of people to be put on the island with them should be politicians who show only half a brain tendency. That would be all of them.
Huia (Gold Coast, Australia)
Some of Turiana Turia's comments are again a reflection of the appeasement crap that Maori leaders in general have towards gangs. She does not care what the general public think because they will never vote for her anyway. Most of the people she is talking about are uneducated, would never learn anything new if their lives depended on it, so why would the public want to listen to them? She is in a position to make some difference, yet she comes up with excuses for these clowns, which is safe, non confrontational and good for votes. Does not matter which uglies they are, ten to one Maori gangs will vote for her anyway if they are going to vote at all. Hail the great leader? Yeah right.
albert
About time the voters demand that IQ test be a pre-requisite for all mps. At least this way, we know we are paying people with brains to run the country. Wondered how many of the current bunch will be left?
Richard
She is just showing once again that she is out of touch and hasn't got a clue what she is talking about. But then again, the vast majority of gang members are Maori, so she is probably just after their votes.
Silence Somegood
One has to consider what is behind the mentality of such a statement by a person in such authority. What has she to gain from such a statement? Although I grant her the rights of free speech, I do not condone what she has said, and in that declare my right also. I ask as a free man, what rights do these misfits have in this country. Pray tell me, what do they do to achieve these rights. Talk is cheap when one has to converse with persons who disfigure, do not work, cause undue harm to people; most crimes are committed by these zealots, and she, a representative of her people say we should talk to them? I ask in all good faith, what would they know? They do not live as most law biding people do, the countries jails are full of them, they live and only for themselves; and to fill their pockets through their illegal deeds. I see no reason to talk to these misfits of society: that which they have caused, surely they can put right. When the rights of all peoples to walk this land without threat, then bring them into consideration, my mind however tells me that it would never happen, for you cannot lead people who do not wish to conform to the principles of humanity, and God's order. Surely.
Mike (Vanuatu)
Her comments on gangs are absurd. If I chuck in my job, buy a Harley and deal crack, I'd say I have decided to live on the fringe of society and have given up any right I have to be tolerated by the same society my behaviour is undermining.
Colin England
I've known several people in gangs - socialised and associated with them etc. Quite a few of them are nice people but they also happen to be very hard because life has been hard for them. What we need to know is why these people feel they need to join a criminal organisation to get the community and the support that they need. The only way to do this is by talking to them.
Sean
Of course gangs of are out of control, otherwise they wouldn't be called gangs.
Gangsta Etymology
Noun - gangsta (slang): a member of an urban street gang
Adjective - gangsta (slang): exhibiting the traits or demeanour associated with the high risk lifestyle of urban street-thugs or hustlers.
So sorry, so sad
It is so sad that the Maori Party are frantically setting everyone else against them and dividing society. The Maori people that I know are wonderful, kind and open. The image their representatives are creating is of grabbing, selfish, lazy, criminals. Shame on the Maori Party.
MC 1 per center
Tariana Turia has yet again raised an issue that has got people talking. Unfortunately the opinions put forward by the vast majority of people on this issue so far, are void of real facts and based on emotive platforms such as criminal statistics or what they have seen or heard on the TV, radio or in the papers. If the real story got out that the overwhelming majority of those responsible for the murders, rapes, home invasions, thefts, muggings, bashings or illegal drug manufacture, supply or use, are not "gang" members or associates, but people without a connection or affiliation to any "gang". What happens to the safety and security of society when the "gang members" are not the ones to be feared but those who live there lives as apparent law abiding citizens.
Understndable Teen
Time to listen to gangs is what the Maori MP is stating. There would be a lot of questions out there, why should we listen to them when they ruin peoples lives, they care about themselves & there gang, they a heartless humans. I agree that we should listen to them. The reason why we have young youth gangs out there is mainly because they want to be known or neither less they want to be in a crowd or they don't get along with their family so they join in a gang and record them as their family. If we listened to what some gang members say, than maybe our young generations wouldn't have to grow up and always watch there backs. The way the gangs work is to basically hunt for their haters and kill them or scare them. In my opinion there are some gang members out there that care more about others than themselves. If we listened to what they say, then maybe, just maybe, we wouldn't have to worry about anything.
Andrew of the West
No, no, no what it's time for is extermination of gangs by elite government squads (maybe the SAS if they're bored) that work in the shadows of the night taking individual member out. These gang members are scum and the sooner they are broken up or down the better.
Todd
Tariana Turia as usual is full of sympathy and solace for the gang/criminal element as usual. To use hardship as the excuse for the crimes that gangs commit is rubbish. In this country white/brown/black/red rich/poor get dealt with equally under the law. Otherwise, what's wrong with visiting Tariana Turia's place and intimidating, garfitti her house, steal her stuff etc? The point is that it is unacceptable behaviour no matter what race/religion/ or socio-economic status. It would pay her to be as vocal for the recipients of the gang crime as she is for the gang members! She might get a better hearing in the mainstream. The gang problem is simply a bunch of sulky bully boy types who need to be dealt with like the bullies they are. Appeasement simply does not work. It's simple parenting: if they get away with bad behaviour, why stop? They need to be more scared of the consequences. Why ask the criminals their opinion? Isn't that setting the fox in charge of the chickens type mentality? I believe in treating others the way you want to be treated.
Tim
The only people in this country that should be listening to gang members are court judges, when gang members try to explain their unlawful criminal actions.
Next