Local Government New Zealand is seeking national legislation to allow other councils to follow Whanganui's lead in banning gang patches.
A by-law was passed by Whanganui District Council last year, banning all gang insignia from the city centre and other designated public areas.
Local Government New Zealand says it is now seeking a blanket law change allowing any council to pass similar by-laws.
Governance manager Mike Reid hopes this will be achieved by an amendment to the Local Government Act.
Rather than continue with a district-by-district approach, he says the change will streamline the process.
Mr Reid expects a draft bill to be forward to the Minister of Local Government within six weeks.
Kensington Swan lawyer Grant Hewison who is drafting the legislation for LGNZ, says a law change could be in place by the end of this year
He says Whanganui's by-law has been very successful.
