KEY POINTS:
Mid-North is becoming a recruiting ground for gangs, as undesirables flock there to visit inmates at Ngawha Prison, Northland-based Labour MP Shane Jones says.
Police also say the prison is a "double-edged sword" with members of Auckland gangs filtering into the North and committing crimes while their associates are at the jail, 7km south-east of Kaikohe.
Members of South Auckland street gang The Killer Beez have moved in to Kaikohe and some shops are selling the gang's yellow-and-black regalia. It's alleged at least one of three teenagers charged with threatening to kill a Paihia couple during a vicious attack this month was a Killer Beez member.
The Killer Beez have a reputation for street crime, drugs and burglaries.
Mr Jones said it was a matter of concern that gangs were recruiting Northland youngsters and he had approached schools and truancy services in Kaikohe about it.
"Young people who fall off the tracks are attracted to gangs and the hedonistic culture they offer. Recruiters for the Killer Beez have no place in Northland.
"I warn families to keep an eye on their children. You do not want them injected with [the] venom of the Killer Beez.
"When you have bad people locked up in jail, their bad associations are going to follow them. In Auckland you can disguise it but it's hard to do in Kaikohe."
Detective Sergeant Russell Price said he was aware of members of the Killer Beez with strong links to South Auckland, who were committing crimes around Kaikohe.
Mid and Far North police area commander Inspector Chris Scahill said: "When you have a prison you will have the families and associates of some inmates moving to that area to be closer to the inmate.
"Also, when they are released some inmates will stay in the area."
The Mid and Far North had a high percentage of youths, and figured highly in negative statistics, such as unemployment, low average incomes, educational achievement and access to healthcare.
"As a result you have a certain element of youths who organise themselves into groups or 'street gangs'.
"And one of the distinguishing features is that these groupings are very fluid, in names and membership, and what is the flavour of the month now may change next week."
- Northern Advocate
