Coronavirus Covid-19: Gang members circumvent meeting limits in tangi for Mobster

A large convoy has gathered in Auckland for a gang member tangihanga, despite Alert Level 2 restrictions prohibiting attendance of more than 50 people.

A strident farewell to the deceased involving more than 100 people, contrary to current meeting limits, was captured in a video shared on Facebook Live.

In the video posted yesterday, dozens of people rushed onto the road to escort the arriving hearse, touching the car and squeezing the hands of passengers seated inside.

Hordes of people huddle even closer as the coffin is carried to a private address.

A waiting group performed a haka to meet those arriving at the property.

Commander of Manukau South Counties. Inspector Dave Glossop said police knew that a tangihanga was being performed today for a member of the mixed-race mafia.

“We have received a small number of calls for service at the Papakura address in the last 24 hours, yet no one has been arrested,” he said.

“Police personnel are in regular contact with people in management and continue to remind them of the Alert Level 2 restrictions currently in place in Auckland.

“We recognize that the significant number of gang members present at the address will be alarming to members of our community and we encourage anyone in a situation where they feel unsafe to contact the police immediately at 111.”

Police were actively monitoring the situation and continuing to use the educational approach with those in management, he said.

Due to Covid-19 prevention efforts, there are currently additional restrictions on social gatherings, funerals and tangihanga in the Auckland region.

Funerals and tangihanga can have up to 50 people and must meet other conditions set by the Ministry of Health including registration.

If a viewing of the deceased person or tūpāpaku is held in a private location, there may be multiple visits for groups of up to 10 people at any one time, as long as each group is in a separate space and does not mix with other groups.