No gang patch ban in Wairoa

File photo / NZH

There will no ban on gang patches in the northern Hawke's Bay town of Wairoa.

Wairoa was not Whanganui - the problems are different and so will be the solutions, Wairoa District Council councillors told a meeting yesterday.

Two gang-related shootings in Wairoa last month led to calls for consideration of a Whanganui-type ban on gang patches in the town.

But speakers at a public meeting last week opposed such a move and yesterday councillors said community feedback had been against a ban.

Deputy Mayor Denise Eaglesome said while Wairoa College had made huge strides in stemming the flow of young people into gangs, a few were causing most of the problems.

Solutions had to be in council-police-community partnerships.

Council chief executive Peter Freeman said Hastings had researched its gang problems and was looking to work with young people and families at risk. He could investigate the funding and programmes used, and tailor something for Wairoa.

It needed to start with a report on the local situation, with someone talking to the gangs, he said.

Wairoa police supported the ban at a public meeting last week.

They said the idea was not to criminalise any group but to prevent the public from feeling intimidated.

- NZPA