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Offender Database Zena Harris

Zena Rangi Harris

Alias

.

Offences

Multiple assault, kidnapping and aggravated robbery convictions resulting from home invasions in Hamilton and Kerikeri during September and October 2002
Also firearms charges

Victims

.

Offender Affiliations

Michael Te Pou
Tommy Taitapanui
Kenneth Devon
Hugh Nicholas

Gang affiliations

Mangu Kaha -- Black Power

Age

Born 1971

Current Location

At large in Waihi

Parole/Release Dates

Sentenced to eight years in December 2003
Had sentence end date November 2010
Since released on parole

Background
NZ Herald story here with background here
From Waikato Times story 17th December 2003
A gang boss who kidnapped and beat a Hamilton massage parlour owner and a male escort, and masterminded a home invasion in Kerikeri, has been jailed for 18 years. In the High Court at Hamilton yesterday Michael Te Pou's co- accused Tommy Taitapanui, 35, Kenny Devon, 34, and Zena Harris, 33, were also jailed for between eight and 15 years by Justice Potter. The four were being sentenced after a 3 and a half week jury trial that ended in October found them guilty of 44 charges relating to four incidents including a home invasion in Kerikeri and kidnapping and thefts in Hamilton at the end of last year.

The charges include kidnapping, aggravated robbery, firearms and receiving. Justice Potter said she was satisfied Te Pou, 41, was the "director of operations". Te Pou, was described as the "rangatiratanga" of Mangu Kaha -- Black Power. Harris, Te Pou's partner, told the probation officer that Te Pou "was a man you don't want to mess with". She claimed she was physically and mentally abused by him. Justice Potter said the group, except Devon who is a first offender, had lengthy lists of previous convictions. She said of the four incidents Kerikeri was the most serious. Te Pou, who organised the home invasion for a fee of $10,000 plus what he could take from the house, gave Devon, Taitapanui and a third man, Hugh Nicholas, a car and a gun and instructions of what to do.

The three drove to Kerikeri on the morning of October 13 and burst into the house while the couple were in bed, then bound, gagged and blindfolded them. When their teenage sons returned they suffered the same fate. During the 36-hour ordeal the woman was sexually violated by Taitapanui. Nicholas has already admitted his part in the offence. In February he was sentenced to nine years' jail. He must serve at least six years. Te Pou was sentenced to 18 years' jail, with a non-parole period of eight years eight months, Taitapanui was jailed for 15 years with a non-parole period of eight years, Devon was jailed for 11 years with a non-parole period of seven years four months and Harris was jailed for eight years with no non-parole period imposed.

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Corrections and Additional Information
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