Black Power (New Zealand gang)

Black Power is a prominent gang in New Zealand. Members are predominantly Māori and Polynesian.

Black Power
Founded1970
Founding locationWellington
Years active1970-present
TerritoryNew Zealand
Australia
EthnicityMixed, predominantly Māori and Polynesian
Criminal activitiesDrug dealing, assault, murder
AlliesCrips, Killa Beez (gang), King Cobras (gang)
RivalsMongrel Mob, Bloods, Storm Troopers[1][2]

History

It was formed as the "Black Bulls" by Reitu Harris and Māori youth in Wellington about 1970,[3][4] but was changed to Black Power in 1971.[5] 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[6] and Prime Minister Robert Muldoon meeting with them and helping them to find accommodation and form work trusts.[7][3][8][9]

The gang is now heavily involved in organised crime, such as drug manufacturing and dealing.[10][11] 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'.[12]

There were 697 members in prison in April 2013.[13]

The Black Power gang also has a strong presence on the Gold Coast of Queensland in Australia.[14]

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. "Gang tension rises to boiling point".
  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. "Ideas for 14 August 2011", Radio NZ
  7. "Thea Muldoon with Black Power members", Te Ara
  8. "A gangster's life", 11/04/2010, Tim Hume, Sunday Star Times
  9. His Way: a Biography of Robert Muldoon, page 23, Barry Gustafson, (2000)
  10. Porn movie plus tinny for $35 - New Zealand Herald, Saturday 05 August 2006
  11. "Tribal Trouble". Time. 5 July 2007. Archived from the original on 16 July 2007.
  12. Rowan, Juliet (12 November 2005). "Gang out to protect its image". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  13. Johnston, Kirsty (9 June 2013). "LA-style gangs fuel problems in NZ prisons". Stuff. Fairfax NZ News. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  14. NZ street gangs are facing an influx of Australian outlaw bikers Carl Bradley, The New Zealand Herald (7 February 2019) Archived 1 December 2022 at the Wayback Machine


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