Gangs in New Zealand have remained on the outskirts of our culture since the 1960's, but now some in the rural community believe the Government can do more to help integrate gang members into society.
For many Kiwis gangs represent violence, crime, drugs and prison, but Tribesman member Peter Hunt says that image is wrong.
Harry Tam has been helping gangs resolve their differences by peaceful means. (Source: Other)
"We're not gangsters, we're just family," Peter Hunt of the Tribesman told TVNZ1's Marae.
"We've been judged ever since tauiwi (settlers) got here, and it's still those same people judging us and persecuting us and all of that you know. It's all oppression, depression, suppression, all of that," Mr Hunt said.
Pembroke Bird, principal of Te Kura Kaupapa Motuhake o Tawhiuau in Murupara, is one of those who believes more can be done to help gangs find their place in society.
"Gangs will be around forever, our job is to nurture and empower the children of these communities, encourage them to embrace their culture, remind them of their heritage I believe that is the way forward.
"How can we uplift everyone, including those in gangs. Stop excluding them, incorporate these whanau into the future 25 years and more," Mr Bird said.
Consecutive Governments have taken a tough line on gangs, but Harry Tam, who has spent over 20 years as a senior policy advisor in Parliament, hopes our new Government adopts a fresh approach.
"If you want a solution you need to think about the long term of what we're doing as well as the short and the medium term. I think it's much more useful for us to focus on the changes we need to make rather than making changes to peoples gang affiliation," Mr Tam said.
He also believes past Governments have neglected the regions, leading to less opportunities and support for those in gangs and the wider communities.
"If you want to say lets get them off benefit support because there's too many of them on it, you fail to ask the right question of why are they on benefit support? That's the issue, why is there such big disparity in the Bay of Plenty?
"Why is the health so bad in that area, why is the mental health so poor in that area? Because it comes back once again to the economics of this country where those areas have been neglected," Mr Tam said.
Jacinda Ardern has repeatedly said she also believes the regions have been neglected by previous Governments, signalling there might be more funding coming to rural communities, answering the challenge made by Mr Tam and others.
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