Tim Anderson: Bay of Plenty Police District Commander on Ōpōtiki Mongrel Mob Barbarians tangi, investigating shots fired - The Mike Hosking Breakfast

The Bay of Plenty towns of Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne were effectively shut down yesterday as a Mongrel Mob funeral procession caused massive disruption to the community - including a closed highway that created traffic chaos and fresh gunshots under investigation by police.

Bay of Plenty District Police Commander Tim Anderson told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking Breakfast this morning they were not “out-manned” yesterday as a large procession of gang members flooded State Highway 2 prompting it’s hours-long closure.

The town had a large influx of gang members come in for the tangi yesterday but were now leaving, he said.

Back in the day police did not allow roads to be closed, Anderson said.

“But now police work with gangs so everything is safe but we do not tolerate any unlawful behaviour.”

Anderson said he did not see much of the unlawful behaviour yesterday.

Detective Inspector Tim Anderson says team work is what makes the difference in resolving cases. Photo / Christine Cornege

“We saw a couple of burnouts, we have taken photographs and will be looking at them.”

Speaking about gunshots, he said these events had started last Friday.

“Our team have zero tolerance for act of violence and intimidation.”

Overnight a number of gang members were arrested, Anderson said.

“Our staff have been working extremely hard 24x7 arresting gang members, seizing weapons, and drugs since Friday night in Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne.”

Speaking to National’s police spokesman Mark Mitchell’s comments from his days as a dog handler when gang members would hide at the sight of them, Anderson said they had dog handlers doing the same thing.

“I guess the thing that has changed is there are more tools and tactics available for police now to handle such situations and keep staff safer.”

PM: ‘Gang convoys suck’

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins last night condemned the activity, which was honouring the slain Mongrel Mob Barbarians president, saying “gangs contribute nothing to society”.

Police vowed to impound vehicles, issue fines and charge drivers, while officers were also investigating multiple reports of shots being fired at cars in Whakatāne yesterday afternoon.

Hundreds of motorbikes, cars, utes and vans descended on Whakatāne for Barbarians president Steven Taiatini’s tangi at Hillcrest Crematorium.

Many barked and others yelled “seig heil” as they shot past.

Taiatini was killed in what police called a “disorder-related incident” on St John St, Ōpōtiki, on Friday. Police have launched a homicide investigation.

The hearse and motorcycle procession for the tangi. Photo / Andrew Warner

Hipkins told Newstalk ZB yesterday it was up to the police to make the “operational decisions” about how to handle to influx of mobsters to the area.

“Well, we have changed the law recently to give police more powers around gang convoys because we have been concerned about convoys and the intimidating nature of them,” Hipkins said.

“Gang convoys suck for everybody who is disrupted by them ... One of the reasons that we’ve changed the law to give police more powers to crack down on gangs is because I don’t have any time for that kind of behaviour.”

Superintendent Tim Anderson, the Bay of Plenty District Commander, said police were yet to find those responsible for the reported gunshots and there were no reports of injuries. However, one vehicle believed to be involved has been found by police.

Anderson confirmed the high police presence will continue through several days as they try to hold those behaving unlawfully accountable.

“We have already identified a number of drivers and registered owners and they can expect to receive infringement notices, and in some cases, be charged for their actions for driving behaviour and face the court,” Anderson said