SunLive – Maori leaders reject police tactics

Iwi leader Willie Te Aho has criticized police tactics due to the trauma caused to children who have to watch their parents arrested after organized raids on mongrel gang homes in Auckland, Taupo, Wellington and the Bay of Plenty, resulting in 28 arrests and 99 charges in drug possession.

On Tuesday, October 22, police executed several search warrants across the North Island.

Maori community leaders Te Aho and Tame Iti attended the meeting in Opotiki, the eastern Bay of Plenty town, where locals outlined problems caused by police raids as mokopuna were forced to watch whanau being arrested by armed police.

Willie Te Aho.

“We won’t tolerate this anymore.”

“I disagree with the joint political approach and the New Zealand Police Headquarters approach to last Tuesday in Opotiki,” said Te Whānau, lead negotiator from Apanui Te Aho.

“Neither before nor since has New Zealand Police had any contact with Whakatohea, the Tiriti o Waitangi Crown partner of which New Zealand Police is a part.

“I also disagree with the way politicians have framed their view of Opotiki. We have a positive outlook for Opotiki and the Eastern Bay of Plenty as a whole.”

Police Minister Mark Mitchell during question time in Parliament earlier this month. Photo / NZME

Police Minister Mark Mitchell had harsh words for Opiki, who he said was being held for ransom as a result of gang activity.

Police also rejected Te Aho’s insinuation.

“Iwi leadership throughout Whakatohea has previously advised us that they are very appreciative of this recent operation in which police have prevented an extremely harmful supply of methamphetamine to Opotiki from these alleged criminals, thereby improving the health and wellbeing of their mokopuna,” a police spokesman said Herald.

“For operational reasons, police do not notify anyone in advance of their intent to execute a search and/or arrest warrant.

“Officers will be meeting with key iwi members this morning to discuss the matter.”

Te Aho makes no apologies.

“I was in Opotiki during the tangi that politicians were complaining about. Contrary to what they thought from people who weren’t there at the time, everything was business as usual. People grieved and showed this grief in their own way. But without destroying our community,” Te Aho said.

“I have heard direct concerns from mothers of arrested sons for their sons and remaining children, as well as concerns for those tamariki who end up in the CFS (Oranga Tamariki). I heard from the partner of one of the men who was arrested and how it affects them in terms of housing, work, car, mobile phone and school laptop. The teacher also told how the children came to school in the same clothes – and when the teacher asked why, the child replied that both of their parents were now in prison.

“I declared: “We are the mana of this earth.

Superintendent Tim Anderson and Superintendent Greg Williams led raids in Auckland, Hamilton and the Bay of Plenty last week.

“If New Zealand Police Headquarters or any other government agency like Oranga Tamariki thinks they can do what they did in our county again, then there is something else waiting for them.

“The other thing that awaits us is that we will create our own intelligence and monitor them. When an emergency arises, we will blockade the homes they raid and will not retreat until the rights of our people and our tamariki mokopuna are vindicated.”