Black_Power_(New_Zealand_gang)

Black Power (New Zealand gang)

Black Power (New Zealand gang)

Prominent gang in New Zealand


Black Power is a prominent gang in New Zealand. Members are predominantly Māori and Pacific.[3]

Quick Facts Founded, Founding location ...

History

It was formed as the "Black Bulls" by Reitu Harris and Māori youth in Wellington about 1970,[4][5] but was changed to Black Power in 1971.[6] The gang was founded in response to the rival Mongrel Mob gang and white power associated gangs. The gang then spread to other major centres and rural towns throughout New Zealand.

Founder Reitu Harris was very politically aware, and during the early 1980s the gang gained some credibility; with social activist Denis O'Reilly joining, former judge Bill Maung acting as their political advisor[7] and Prime Minister Robert Muldoon meeting with them and helping them to find accommodation and form work trusts.[8][4][9][10]

The gang is now heavily involved in organised crime, such as drug manufacturing and dealing.[11][12] While the gang has distanced itself from violent acts of some of its members, for example, a child abuse case, police have in return accused the gang members of using violence as a 'learned behaviour from involvement in the gang'.[13]

There were 697 members in prison in April 2013.[14]

The Black Power gang also has a strong presence on the Gold Coast of Queensland in Australia.[15]

Insignia

Black Power colours are predominantly blue and black. The patches usually feature a clenched fist which is a symbol of the American Black Power movement. The patch will also be tattooed on the member's body.

See also


References

  1. "Gangs and crime".
  2. Newbold, Greg; Taonui, Rawiri (2 October 2018). "Māori gangs and Pacific youth gangs". Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  3. Egarr, Tristan (14 July 2008). "Gang Land". Salient. www.salient.org.nz. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  4. Hubbard, Anthony (6 September 2009). "What the gang patch means". Sunday Star Times. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011.
  5. Gilbert, Jarrod (2013). Patched: the history of gangs in New Zealand. Auckland University Press. p. 61. ISBN 9781869407292.
  6. "A gangster's life", 11/04/2010, Tim Hume, Sunday Star Times
  7. His Way: a Biography of Robert Muldoon, page 23, Barry Gustafson, (2000)
  8. "Tribal Trouble". Time. 5 July 2007. Archived from the original on 16 July 2007.
  9. Rowan, Juliet (12 November 2005). "Gang out to protect its image". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  10. Johnston, Kirsty (9 June 2013). "LA-style gangs fuel problems in NZ prisons". Stuff. Fairfax NZ News. Retrieved 9 June 2013.



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