KEY POINTS:
The proposed ban on gang patches in Wanganui is a step closer.
The ban will also cover gang-related tattoos. Markings such as moko will still be allowed in the city's public places.
Parliament's law and order select committee has reported the Wanganui District Council (Prohibition of Gang Insignia) Bill back to the House with the recommendation that it be passed.
The legislation will allow police to arrest any person wearing gang insignia, seize the offending items and impose a $2000 fine.
The bill was supported by the Labour, National and NZ First MPs on the committee.
The decision to include gang-style tattoos in the ban was made by Labour and NZ First, who were concerned that leaving tattoos out might lead to an increase in their use by gang members.
NZ First MP and committee chairman Ron Mark said tattoos would not be seized as would patches, but wearers would still be arrested and fined.
"If someone with a Mongrel Mob tattoo on their cheek walks into a dairy to buy a pint of milk, and they are using that tattoo to intimidate, then they will be arrested."
Mr Mark said including tattoos was a controversial clause but vital if the bill was to be effective.
He said including them was a "die in the ditch" issue for the Wanganui council, which even said it would withdraw the bill if the clause was removed. If tattoos were not included, it could lead to gang members simply having patches tattooed on their back then walking down the street without shirts on to get around the law.
Mr Mark criticised National's unwillingness to ban tattoos because of "human rights concerns".
National MP Chester Borrows said the party felt including tattoos was "too draconian".
He said unlike patches, tattoos could not be removed, and could therefore lead to an expectation that somebody be arrested for simply going about their business.
He said ex-gang members might still have tattoos and would therefore breach the ban without intending to do so. Mr Borrows said dealing with tattoos could create confusion about the ban and detract from its main purpose.
The bill's future is in the hands of the next Parliament, but with support from both major parties, it is likely to progress in some form.
Wanganui has been beset by gang problems, including the killing of toddler Jhia Te Tua, who was caught up in a gang dispute.
Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws said the bill - drafted before the killing of Jhia - was the community saying "enough" to gangs, and was backed by a district-wide referendum.
He called on the Government to adopt a complete ban on gangs such as that in South Australia, as advocated by state Premier Mike Rann in Auckland yesterday.
