Waititi condemns police overreach near urupā

Atereano Mateariki Rawiri Waititi | Waititi condemns police overreach near urupā

Download Audio

Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi has called yesterday’s police presence near an urupā a disgusting act of overreach.

Heavy police roadblocks were set up near Otūmoko Urupā in Matapihi and Huria Marae in Judea to monitor gang activity during the funeral of Mongrel Mob captain Ned Kelly and his partner.

The roadblocks caused distress to locals, with Aukaha News capturing kuia Ngareta Timutimu visibly upset at the increased police presence.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader, Waititi says this is the Gangs Act’s negative impact on small Māori communities.

“I saw my kuia Ngareta having to reprimand the police yesterday. I was absolutely saddened that she had to do that. And I, you know, I’m really, really disgruntled about what happened yesterday,” says Waititi.

A similar high police presence is expected in Nelson for a Mongrel Mob Barbarian gang gathering this weekend.

RELATED NEWS

Coromandel folk swab up Boost to long life research career Youthful population more at risk of prison time