Community Safety and Gangs Information
There is increasing community concern about the presence and activities of gangs. Central and local government, and community groups, have a range of responses to addressing gang-related crime and violence.
Local Government New Zealand hosted a forum on 19 November 2008 where local government, central agencies and NGOs gathered to share information, experiences, and practical solutions.
Click here to see the agenda for the day
The Forum heard from key central government players including the Police, and the Ministries of Justice and Social Development on government strategies from prevention through to enforcement. A number of councils also shared their practical experiences of responding to gang activities within their communities.
You can download many of the presentations and notes from the day here.
Looking Back, Looking Beyond - Gang Strategies in the Wider Context
Kim Workman, Director, Rethinking Crime and Punishment powerpoint presentation and paper available
Organised crime and gangs in New Zealand
Darren Howells, Tactical Intelligence Analyst, Police National Headquarters and Inspector Lou Alofa, Strategic Pacific Adviser, Police National Headquarters [Presentation not available]
How is central government responding to gangs?
Inspector Lou Alofa, Strategic Pacific Adviser, Police National Headquarters [Presentation not available]
Lesley Daly, Policy Manager, Crime Prevention Unit, Ministry of Justice - powerpoint
Carl Crafar, National Manager, Youth Gangs, Ministry of Social Development - powerpoint
Community based responses
Denis O'Reilly, Manager Mokai Whanau Ora National CAYAD project - powerpoint
Harry Tam, Policy Manager, Te Puni Kōkiri [Presentation not available]
Local Government responses
Hamilton City Council - Helen Paki, Acting Youth Development Team Leader, Community Development Unit, Hamilton City Council - powerpoint
Napier - Ka Hao te Rangatahi - Robyn Smith, Napier Crime Reduction Coordinator, Napier City Council and Caine Tawhai, Youth Leadership Coordinator, Ka Hao te Rangatahi - powerpoint
What role can local government take?
This was a facilitated workshop session for participants. An "Appreciative Inquiry" process was used in this session. To view the presentation on Appreciative Inquiry click here. For further information on Appreciative Inquiry go to http://appreciativeinquiry.case.edu/
Click here to see the notes from this session.
Current/recent gang-related work
A workshop was held to gauge local gang-related issues around the country.The report on the workshop to a Social Sector-Local Government Forum can be found here. Following on from this Local Government New Zealand is surveying local authorities (22 July- 3 August 2009) to inform a guidance document they are commissioning, with the support of the Ministry of Justice, for local authorities on how gang-related issues can be addressed.
Current guidelines for dealing with issues related to youth gangs can be found here.
