Gang member charged after walking into police station wearing Mongrel Mob hat

Photograph: RNZ/Angus Dreaver

A gang member who walked into Taumarunui Police Station wearing a hat bearing the Mongrel Mob emblem is among the latest charges of violating new laws.

The new gang patch law went into effect last week.

This means gang emblems are banned in public places, police can disperse large public groups if they “cause fear and intimidation”, and police can issue non-association orders to ban gang members from meeting or communicating for up to three years.

Those who violate the law will be arrested, have their patches confiscated and face prosecution. Being a member of a gang can now also be a factor that aggravates the punishment.

A 33-year-old man had his hat confiscated and was issued a summons to appear in the Taumarunui District Court on a charge of displaying gang insignia in a public place after entering the police station on an unrelated matter.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham said police were “very pleased” with the overall level of compliance.

“The fact that we have launched a number of separate investigations proves that police will not hesitate to enforce these laws and serves as a reminder to those considering wearing or displaying gang insignia to continue making the right choices.”

But some gang members still ignored the rules and wore gang patches in public.

These included a Mongrel Mob member involved in a shooting incident in Auckland and a Black Power member involved in a serious assault in Christchurch.