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Archived Press Releases 2007 5th June 2007

Maori call for gangs to be outlawed

(5th June 2007)

The latest poll vote on the largest Maori membership website shows Maori in Australia, New Zealand and around the globe are calling for gangs to be outlawed in their country.

The New Zealand Government could become a highly respected world leader by outlawing gangs in our country says Kelly Te Heuheu Crime Issues Specialist and spokeswoman for Sensible Sentencing Trust.

Our people do not want gangs; under the "Treaty of Waitangi" New Zealand Parliamentary leaders are obligated to ensure these lands and its people are safe and secure for all New Zealanders.

She backs New Zealand Firsts call to outlaw gangs saying that this would break the chain the Drug Lords rely on to distribute their drugs.

A tough stand on gangs would drive the International drug lords out of New Zealand and stop a major financial resource for the gangs.

"The gang network throughout New Zealand is used by the Drug Lords, if this network is smashed so will the distribution of this scourge on society be smashed."

"When the risk becomes too great Drug Lords will back off and leave New Zealand- as far as I am concerned the sooner the better – drugs are destroying our young people and destroying our country, the gangs that distribute them must be outlawed.”

Kelly said that the present soft laws and weak penalties have made New Zealand a safe haven for criminal activity, "There is only one thing gangs understand – our laws must be tough and our penalties must be tough – gangs must be outlawed to give young people the best opportunity to succeed in life."

Parliament must step up and support the police to declare war on gangs and tighter border control is required to keep criminal activity out.

RECENT POLLS ON MAORI IN OZ WEBSITE:

1) Should Gangs be outlawed? >

1. 82.4% Yes

2. 17.6% No

2) Should underage youth who commit serious crime be held fully accountable as adults?

1. 74.2% Yes, if they commit adult crimes, then they are old enough to be punished as adults are.

2. 9.7% No, the community & government need to be held responsible and get them off the streets

3. 9.7% Yes, but the punishment should be less than an adult.

4. 6.5% No, the maori community needs to hold some accountability, we are not good role models like our ancestors

Regards,

Kelly Te Heuheu
Sensible Sentencing Trust
Maori Issues Spokesperson,
Aotearoa