The number of gang members present provided an opportunity for breaching the Gangs
Act 2004 by wearing their patches and displaying insignia, and to disrupt and endanger
the public by driving and riding dangerously.
With a previous recent gang tangi in Bay of Plenty where large groups of attendees
behaved unlawful y, a police presence was felt necessary to ensure public safety.
Several weapons were seized from gang members during the operation, including
two sawn-off shotguns.
The operation was successful, with the vast majority or mourners behaving lawful y.
This is in stark contrast to behaviour at the previous recent gang tangi in Bay of Plenty.
4.
A media source (SunLive) reported between 50 and 200 police were deployed. -
How many police-persons were sent to Matapihi?
126 police staff and a helicopter were deployed to Matapihi.
5.
How many staff in total were involved in this exercise? A further 29 police staff were deployed at different locations during the tangi procession.
There was a total of 155 police staff involved, excluding helicopter crew members.
6.
- What was the combined cost of the police helicopter and the police presence in
Matapihi while "police maintained a visible presence in Matapihi ..."?
The calculated cost for the use of the Police helicopter and the police presence in
Matapihi on 27 and 28 November 2024 was approximately $65k.
The above is correct as of 23 January 2025, it includes the estimated cost of Police
helicopter, travel, accommodation, and allowances, captured in a specific operational
project code. Police is unable to provide the total cost for staff wages as these tasks are
part of Police's core function and not captured by the specific project code. For example,
staff deployment to the investigation and their respective working hours and salary would
not be recorded as relating to the specific operation, rather it is treated as business as
usual. As such, this part of your request is refused under section 18(g) of the OIA that the
information requested is not held.
7.
Could you please provide any correspondence (emails/texts/comms) regarding this
event and the date the first correspondence was made regarding this specific event.
On 25 November 2024, police became aware that there was likely to be a gang tangi
somewhere in Tauranga.
Planning was commenced on 26 November 2024, although at that stage it was not clear
where and when the tangi would take place.
On 27 November 2024 the deceased’s body was moved to Waikari Marae in Matapihi
and it was confirmed that the tangi was likely to take place the fol owing day.
Please find relevant correspondence. Some information in the attached has been
withheld under the following sections of the OIA:
- 6(c): as the making available of the information would be likely to prejudice the
maintenance of the law, including the prevention, investigation, and detection of
offences, and the right to a fair trial.
- 9(2)(a): as the withholding of the information is necessary to protect the privacy of
natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons.
- 9(2)(g)(i): as the withholding of the information is necessary to maintain the
effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of
opinions by or between or to officers and employees of the Police in the course of
their duty.
- 9(2)(g)(ii): as the withholding of the information is necessary to maintain the
effective conduct of public affairs through the protection of officers and
employees from improper pressure or harassment.
Some other correspondence identified in scope of your request has been refused under
section 6(c) of the OIA.
Police considers the interests requiring protection by withholding the information are not
outweighed by any public interest in release of the information.
Please note that as part of its commitment to openness and transparency, Police
proactively releases some information and documents that may be of interest to the
public. An anonymised version of this response may be publicly released on the New
Zealand Police website.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this
decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
SSCW04
SSCW04
Senior Analyst Information Requests
New Zealand Police
From:
s 9(2)(a) OIA
To:
RAWLINSON, Craig
Subject:
Ned Kelly Death.
Date:
Monday, 25 November 2024 9:01:34 AM
Craig
I understand Ned Kelly passed away in the weekend.
s 9(2)(a) OIA This will likely be a big
funeral. s 9(2)(a) OIA seems to think this will be at a marae in welcome bay. Suggest a Local Senior
should be assigned to this planning. s 6(c) OIA
s 9(2)(a) OIA, s 9(2)(g)(ii) OIA
Bay of Plenty Head Quarters, Fenton Street, PO Box 741, Rotorua, www.police.govt.nz
Safer Communities Together
NZ Police on YouTube
NZ Police on Facebook
Follow @NZPolice
s 6(c) OIA
and we are looking to go and meet with the leaders
hopefully today and discuss expectations, timings and locations to assist both sides to ensure the
Tangi goes off as offence free as possible. The overall messages from our discussions so far are
mixed about the Patch and Isignia laws.
s 9(2)(a) OIA
s 6(c) OIA, s 9(2)(a) OIA
Then onto Waikari Marae, Matapihi (to be confirmed).
Will have more information when we speak with the leaders.
Nga Mihi
s 9(2)(g)(ii) OIA, s 9(2)(a) OIA
11-15 Monmouth Street, Tauranga www.police.govt.nz
ENDS
Thanks,
s 9(2)(a) OIA
Police Media Team
Piki Ki Te Ao, Ōtāhuhu
Police National Headquarters, Wellington
W www.police.govt.nz
From:
Media
To:
ANDERSON, s.9(2)(a) OIA (Tim); RAWLINSON, Craig; s 9(2)(a) OIA
Cc:
s 9(2)(a) OIA
Subject:
Re: Operation Future release for tomorrow morning
Date:
Thursday, 28 November 2024 5:31:37 AM
Thanks Tim, are you happy to be attributed to the statement?
s 9(2)(a) OIA
are you happy with the below?
Get Outlook for iOS
From: ANDERSON, s.9(2)(a) OIA (Tim) s.9(2)(a) OIA, s.9(2)(g)(ii) OIA
Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 8:31:36 PM
To: Media <[email address]>; RAWLINSON, Craig s 9(2)(g)(ii) OIA, s 9(2)(a) OIA
Cc: s 9(2)(a) OIA, s 9(2)(g)(ii) OIA
Subject: Re: Operation Future release for tomorrow morning
Reads well thank you
Tim
From: Medias 9(2)(g)(ii) OIA
Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 8:18:25 PM
To: RAWLINSON, Craig s.9(2)(a) OIA, s.9(2)(g)(ii) OIAANDERSON, s.9(2)(a) OIA (Tim)
s.9(2)(a) OIA, s.9(2)(g)(ii) OIA
Cc: s 9(2)(a) OIA, s 9(2)(g)(ii) OIA
Subject: Operation Future release for tomorrow morning
Hey Craig, Tim, s 9(2)(a) OIA
Following todays action and with Eagle flying down tomorrow, I have edited the below draft
release for tomorrow morning.
Are you comfortable with something along the lines of the below? Feel free to make any edits/
changes.
Police Eagle helicopter to support Police monitoring gang funeral
Attributable to Detective Inspector Craig Rawlinson, Acting Western Bay of
Plenty Area Commander:
The Police Eagle helicopter will be in the Western Bay of Plenty area today
monitoring the gang funeral of a prominent Mongrel Mob member.
Police have called in extra staff and additional resources to have an increased
presence and are ready to respond to unlawful activity if it arises.
Members of the public can expect traffic disruption across Tauranga this morning,
leading into the afternoon.
Yesterday, 27 November, Police were monitoring the movements of gang members
and associates across Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty but observed no incidents
of note. The majority of attendees were displaying good judgement and not engaging
in unlawful activity.
However, three Mongrel Mob members, two aged 32 and one aged 31, didn’t get the
message and were arrested after wearing various items of clothing displaying
Mongrel Mob insignia. They are due to appear in the Tauranga District Court on
Monday 2 December.
A 32-year-old patched Eastside [Eastside or East Side?] member was arrested on
unrelated charges of shoplifting.
Police have been running checkpoints across the district and were watching as a
convoy carrying the deceased drove through Tauranga. Three motorbikes were seized
after allegedly being used to disrupt traffic and block roads across Tauranga.
We ask that attendees paying their respects today make good choices. There is no
place for unlawful activity and we will take enforcement action against anyone
breaking the law.
If you see any unlawful activity please contact Police and provide as much detail as
you can.
If you have immediate concerns for your safety, please call 111. If you are reporting
matters after the fact, please contact 105 either online or over the phone, referencing
file number 241126/9365.
Ends
Thanks,
