28 Oct 2009

Ban brings breakthrough in Murupara

5:10 pm on 28 October 2009

A campaigner for a ban on violence and the wearing of gang colours in the township of Murupara in the Bay of Plenty says it has had a breakthough in enforcing it.

Te Ha O Te Ora group head Pem Bird says one of the gangs involved, the Tribesmen, deserves credit after announcing its commitment to come to a truce with rival the Mongrel Mob.

Mr Bird says Tribesmen president Peter Hunt contacted him a week ago of its intention.

A rahui, or ban, has been enforced in the area for about two weeks after suspicions the deaths of two people were gang-related.

Mr Bird believes the Tribesmen's intention will relieve the anxiety of a threat of retaliation, which he says will allow all members time to focus on working together.

There is no comment yet from Mr Hunt.