Dr Jarrod Gilbert Sociologist
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The Moerewa Riot - the biggest incident in NZ gang history.

3/8/2014

56 Comments

 
PictureStriking a pose in old hotel carpark.
Over the weekend a fight at the Moerewa Rugby Club resulted in three people being stabbed. In 1979, the same small town hosted a riot in which police, firefighters and gang members were injured. This is how it went down.

Gang conflicts and wars had increased throughout the 1970s as gangs fought to mark out their territory. A leading Auckland judge, Justice Mills, remarked in 1978 that ‘the gravity of many of the offences by members of gangs and what had become known as “gang warfare” was a great concern to everyone’. This ‘great concern’ reached its zenith in August 1979 in the small North Island town of Moerewa, where an event of such severity occurred that it can be seen to mark the second pivot point in New Zealand gang history.

The incident had its genesis in Auckland in October 1978 when an estimated 350 members from the country’s Black Power chapters converged on Otara to hold a convention. The local Stormtroopers considered Otara to be part of their turf, and local and outside chapters of the gang gathered peacefully outside the weekend-long meeting to show their displeasure at the Black Power’s intrusion into their territory. The gangs engaged in several conflicts in early 1979, but it was an assault by a Northland Black Power member on an Auckland Stormtrooper, in either late July or very early August of that year, that sparked the drive for a showdown. Regarding battles such as these between gangs, one Black Power leader, Mane Adams, said:

"Basically it was tit for tat. If you went and did a tit, you were waiting for the tat, and if the tat didn’t come back, well you know you won that battle sort of thing. It worked like that, sort of thing, eh, tit tat, tit tat. But tit tat leads to very serious consequences, if you don’t get on top of it."

On 3 August 1979, Stormtroopers from Auckland travelled north and joined members from Moerewa to find the local Black Power members in order to seek revenge. Initially unsuccessful in their search, many of the Auckland members returned home, leaving 40 or 50 primarily local Stormtroopers to drive to the Okaihau Hotel in further quest of Black Power. Failing again to find the enemy, they set about drinking. Next, in what the bar’s publican described as an abrupt 60-second outburst of destruction, the members uprooted pool tables and threw bottles through windows and a stool at the jukebox. Leaving the hotel and travelling through Ohaewai on their return to Moerewa, the gang was confronted by two members of the police, who were forced to retreat. A warning shot fired by one of the officers was not enough to save the police car from extensive damage. 

The Stormtroopers then went on to the Moerewa Hotel where more police were called. The gang’s alcohol-fuelled frustration turned toward the only enemy they could find: the police. Prominent New Zealand academics Jane Kelsey and Warren Young suggest that animosity toward the police was bred as a response to aggressive police tactics by Team Policing Units in South Auckland in late 1978 and early 1979, and they also reported a ‘strong suggestion’ that the gang members themselves had called the authorities, presumably in an effort to provoke a confrontation. Similarly, amateur historian Charles O’Hara says that one of the gang encouraged a younger member to break a shop window – ‘so that the cops’ll come and then we’ll do them!’ Be that as it may, the publican is almost certain to have made a frantic call to authorities, and the two officers under siege at Ohaewai would also have raised the alarm with their colleagues.

Police were called in from throughout the region, but some were diverted to an unconnected armed robbery in Whangarei. Those who could respond immediately were heavily outnumbered, and attempts to persuade the gang to disperse were fruitless. Indeed, police efforts to confront the gang were described by one gang member as ‘suicidal’, and they were attacked with an assortment of makeshift missiles and weapons. Offering insight into the loyalty and adherence to the gang leaders’ commands, one of the Stormtroopers said later, ‘when we are told to hit, we hit’.

In the melee, the police officers became separated and were beaten. One described being held against a fence and kicked and punched by as many six gang members. Others fared even worse. A police van was set alight and several Stormtroopers attempted to throw Senior Sergeant Charles O’Hara, who was already injured, into the fire, yelling, ‘Burn the bastard!’ As the senior sergeant cried out, ‘Mercy, mercy’, he was rescued by battered colleagues and firefighters. During another offensive surge, the gang members began chanting, ‘Kill, kill!’ Sergeant Walter Douglas retrieved a .38 revolver from his glove box and fired several warning shots before shooting a gang member in the thigh. In different pockets of the hotel car park the battle continued. One gang member raided a fire truck and handed out the axes to use as weapons. Constable Ralph Davis was beaten to the ground and kicked unconscious. Constable Arthur Turton went to his rescue and found him choking on his own blood, but in his first attempt at rescue was driven off by Stormtroopers with whom he pleaded: ‘I yelled at them that they had killed a cop and to let me help him.’ Despite being hit with a steel rod, he and another police officer managed to drag the severely injured constable to safety. Davis did not regain consciousness for 48 hours and suffered depressed and linear fractures of the skull, a fractured cheekbone and the loss of eight teeth. Without medical treatment, his injuries were life-threatening.

Sergeant Walter Douglas attempted to reason with the gang’s leader to call a halt to the attack, but it is believed, by one witness at least, that a series of shotgun blasts from a local resident, alarmed by the lawlessness, signalled an end to the violence.  Supported by an influx of reinforcements, police were able to arrest 28 members of the gang. The riot was over but the gang problem had begun in earnest.

This is an excerpt from my book Patched: the history of gangs in New Zealand. You will find references for the above quotes and facts in that. Go and buy the bloody thing, it's brilliant.

56 Comments
David Karora Nicol
3/8/2014 07:08:06 am

Born and bred in moerewa it was a hell of a nite in tuna town that nite a lot of the brothers locked up and a moment in history that won't be forgotten. They left a few things out of that story but that's probly for the best

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Jacki
4/8/2015 01:20:31 am

Shut head gang members should all be shot

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Syko link
14/8/2018 04:29:20 am

Barbarain foreva foreva stormtrooper

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les norton
3/8/2021 02:45:56 pm

what a fuckhead

Shannon
3/8/2014 07:10:29 am

Great insite

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justin Chambers
6/8/2014 01:26:05 pm

thats not how you spell insight

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lewis link
3/8/2014 01:49:37 pm

Born n breed in moerewa, 12-13 yrs old at the time. Very scarey moment, the riots. Sad, frightened, feared for the safety of my own parents, drinking at the pub that very night. Getting yelled at by older siblings 'STAY THE FUCK INSIDE', 'NO ONE IS TO GO OUTSIDE. Sirens sounds in the Valley, popping sounds in the air, bright yellow glow atop the rooftops in the far distance from home. Later learned, the popping sound were firearms discharged, the bright glow, was the burning of the firetruck and police paddy wagon. Thinking back, all though, that shit happend in MY LIL TOWN, YOUR TOWN, OUR TOWN.........MOTOWN. The People of Moerewa rose above it. Restored dignity an pride back into our beautiful town thats is home. Kia Kaha Whanau.

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Denise
29/3/2016 04:01:04 pm

I almost felt I was there the way you told it....cool

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Casey
1/11/2018 02:21:15 am

Wow.that must of bn insane lewis

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Rack Bristowe
5/8/2014 02:07:07 am

Born n breed in mason ave was only 2-3 wen this went dwn it's good to see how much Motown has changed from those days Moerewa moving forward M.F.F.M ake ake tonu

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juzz
5/8/2014 03:33:25 am

I remember not being allowed to go outside to play for a couple of days, I was about 8'ish

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Honee parkinson
5/8/2014 08:38:59 am

yes Born & breed in Moerewa Motown 30yr + one my Brother was part of that riot yes few thing were left out within the story plus got his self a trip spent in time for incident wic happen... but after All the Crap that Happen & new Generation Coming through Finally Motown Stood Up with their Head held High Moved past all wrong too make things better for their Kidz & grandkidz .. which now New Generation are thriving with Delevopment & Great Acheivement GO MOEREWA MOTOWN PROUD CALL YOU HOME <3 <3!!

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jude
4/8/2015 04:14:58 pm

What new generation co,MOB?
Nice one.

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joelyn bucky edwards
19/9/2016 01:35:18 pm

That's not a true account of events as you totally forgot to mention the members of the public who were actually a major part of this riot - as I am pretty sure if it had not have been for them those police who were on duty at the time would all be 6 feet under - George Edwards, Rima Kemp, Noel Young Snr,

Dorothy
5/8/2014 08:41:26 am

Born n bred, raised on Mason Ave









































, I remember being down town when that frucus broke I was with a few friends at the Mucky Duck..We didn't know what the hek was happening . All I saw was my father across the other side of the street walking back from Lord knows where but not even having a care in the world for his own safety. I high tale it to him to get off the streets as there are gangs running with weapons and all sorts only to here the owners yelling at us to get in here and go out the back and run for home. It was obvious something very serious had gone down as the carpark at the Moerewa hotel was all lit up and like others I could here the poppin as well. Dat was a sad day for our home town. The Media was not kind to our home town and our people. Yes we have our rat bags but so does every other town in New Zealand , We are statistically branded as having the highest suicidal rating in NZ but I stand to be corrected if this untrue. The year is 2014 not 1978-9, don't let the actions of some determine where we are going Moerewians especially the Media. Kia kaha taku Whanau no Moerewa.......

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burpz
5/8/2014 12:15:31 pm

fark that's all we need another uni know it all to tell the world what we all know, go wank over something else, what is the point of this article? is it to make you feel safe in your safe in your safe life

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Kinga
6/8/2014 07:38:47 am

Good stuff burpz, glad you took the time to post your comment. History would be the point of the article, or a you retarded?

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Ken
24/2/2018 10:37:12 am

Retarded???
Only one retarded here is you. I was there I don't remember seeing you.
The article is a wank article written by people who weren't there!!!
So fuck off you stupid cunt

peanut
2/8/2015 01:06:35 pm

Chur bro, my thort exactly (jandals all day)

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rae
4/8/2015 08:12:13 am

tautoko burpz

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Michelle Marama Beazley link
27/2/2023 06:47:05 pm

ooh we were just teenagers Kawa back then. And i slept through it all...i absolutely loved my life growing up in Moerewa...So much so that when i moved to Perth, i vowed to live a full and productive life and to fill each moment with discovery...to represent my stomping ground but most of all to always be humble knowing others from my community could not have those opportunities afforded me... moerewa to the bone xxx

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Ken
5/8/2014 02:23:15 pm

Stupid cunts couldn't handle their piss. Moerewa is a good town and this trouble came about because of dickheads from out of town.

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Barbara
5/8/2014 03:49:03 pm

Yes we really don't need that rubbish bought up I was born and bred in Moerewa and it was a pumping little Town.It wasn't like we had a lot of trouble all the time.I love my home town and I always look forward to going home.My Family still live there and have been there for years.so Heads up our Town Motown forever

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Rob
5/8/2014 05:43:45 pm

I love Moerewa!

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moetown link
6/8/2014 02:22:44 pm

I was there and every ones comments here are tika and pono.
Moetown at that time was very violent, not out on the streets for all to see.
You had the Affco that helped fuel all the rage in a small town, come Wednesday payday where was every one, at the pub, getting pissed or stoned and this went on till you were broke. Moerewa pub was the centre of our universe when you went out side for a dak three quarters of the pub would be out there, giving shot guns and firing up another joint, must've been good weed to get all of us stoned.
The only ones left in the pub were the old people and the hard core drinkers. Fights would break out on most nights real, "once were warriors" shit. You would go to parties same shit all alcohol fuelled, fark you had to watch your back and your mates a lot of king hits were going on as well.
I could go on and on, but to cut along story short, those were violent times in the homes where mum was abused and beaten like a dog, auntys and uncles getting pissed and at a drop of a hat everything turns ugly as. I lived this life and survived. I never thought I would live to thirty, I will be fifty six this year have family partner and mokos.
Did my time have a good job and a good life, would not change anything. Moetown is my home, all the shit that I have been through, I love the place.
Time has moved on and yet it only seems like yesterday when my mind/thoughts drift back to that night.
Don't be to much of a hater to this comment, should write a book.

MAURI ORA

Only those that know Moetown will know who I am

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Bubba(Mike)Young
26/7/2021 03:13:59 pm

Ae, tika tou korero
Moerewa rugby and league players tautoko the fire brigade.
George Edward's, Percy Beatie, John Young, John Reti just to name a few who helped to stop the violence that night as the arrests show.

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Bell
7/8/2014 01:33:01 am

Born n bred n Motown, nothing wrong with this lil town, the recent stabbings were stupid a silly incident

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Bob
7/8/2014 12:07:18 pm

Unless u have been here or lived in moerewa, then u can speak up, but don't sit behind a desk and dictate to people whom u don't even know about this town.... I have been born and breed here like so many others and am proud of moerewa ... Yeah we have ups and downs, but doesn't every tow n.... How about u concentrate more about the positive stuff like street wars or maybe watch grass roots and see how awesome the day was on Saturday when moerewa won the BOI senior rugby....

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Lawrence
22/10/2014 02:43:46 am

Moerewa is a great place to be been here all my life.

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Leon Taipari
30/12/2014 03:14:47 pm

Moerewa born and raised from Otiria, a lot of those guys were my mates and family. Moerewa is a grest place and i am proud to call it my home town. TUNA TOWN 4EVA ake ake tonu Motown

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S Rakete
30/4/2015 05:01:40 pm

Moerewa. Sad. I drive through often. Never stop, never will. The whole place needs burning and burial. Disgrace to Northland.

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Michelle Marama Beazley link
27/2/2023 06:48:34 pm

then you just keep driving om bro...far be it for us to inconvenience you

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john boy
11/7/2015 07:01:50 am

to much the steping stone for the stormys what a mess blessings morewa auckland aotearoa germany was a mean battle!

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Pete
2/8/2015 02:22:33 pm

^^ S Rakete you're the disgrace. Where are you from that you're so fantastic? Judgemental much!!

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Lawrence keretene
2/8/2015 04:54:53 pm

Yip I was born and raised in moerewa been there for 21year and I will always go back to my roots MFFM alday

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P man
3/8/2015 05:11:59 am

Born in lived in mo town Il always go bk coz it's home to me. Mffm.

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IMPACT MOEREWA RUGBY LEAGUEIT
3/8/2015 11:56:26 am

I PLAYED RUGBY LEAGUE FOR MANY YEARS IN MOEREWA AND AM PROUD TO CALL MOEREWA HOME NOT JUZT FOR MYSELF BUT AND IT'S ALSO HOME FOR MY DAUGHTER AND THERE BEUTIFUL MOKOBOYZ THANKS TO THERE MUM AND NANNA NEATER WHIU + WAY TO RISE FROM THE ASHES AND MOVE FORWARD TO A BETTER TYM AND FUTURE FOR OUR MOKOS TO TRUELY BELIEVE AND BE PROUD TO CALL MOEREWA THEIR WHENUA THEIR WHANAU THEIR HAPU THEIR IWI AND THEIR PAPAKAINGA MAURI ORA MOEREWA PLAY HARD STAY STRONG

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Ata
4/8/2015 10:11:18 am

I would have enjoyed reading this article more if it had the ending showing how much moerewa has changed and how people are turning the town around with all the work being put into it from the locals. Or an ending that shows how the community can arrange meeting for rival gangs to sort out their differences to make the town a safer place to be.

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valentine rikihana
4/10/2015 04:12:10 pm

my older brother and I were there. he was a storm trooper.

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valentine rikihana
6/10/2015 03:03:29 pm

its a part of our lifes that we are not proud of, we are both old farts now. my wife is from keri so we past through when we go to visit.

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Patrick Carroll
3/2/2016 12:32:52 am

As my cousins David and Leon said moerewa is where our family's grow up it was and is a awesome little town shit happens every where but the people from this town know the truth that's all that counts motown hard

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Jamie apiata link
7/9/2016 02:43:15 pm

Born and breed in moerewa lol reeked havoc when I was there lol best childhood ever.....


#TUNATOWNFORLIFE
#SIR WILLIAM HALE CRES
#ALLDAY
💯💯💯
🤘🏽 🤘🏽

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Don Fearnley
3/7/2017 07:33:59 pm

My wife & I ran the IGA supermarket for a few years and found the residents to be amiable & honest, but it was the rotten apples that spoilt the peace of the town, Don Fearnley.

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Nootz
3/8/2018 08:09:56 pm

Motown my home town, love the feed back, like all the bros say, you not from Motown then you don’t no shit

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Syko the barbarain link
14/8/2018 04:30:42 am

BSTFFBST hrc hrmc nz world

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getkingrootapk.info link
22/9/2018 05:38:45 am

I?m impressed, I must say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog that?s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the issue is something that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.

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Just a trooper
11/6/2019 05:39:33 pm

Well I have neva seen the comment until today. I am 1 of 29 that went in that riot got 7yrs for it, am I proud of what I did, ""FUCK YEAH"" would I do it again "SEIG FUCKEN HEIL" Ivery got a wonderful women, 5kids, and 15 beautiful mokos am sori for we did but I'm proud! !! August 3rd 2019 40th Anniversary. The only gang ever that took on the law ""THE ONLY ""

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Edward harris
6/1/2020 10:06:51 pm

MASS SALUTES MOEREWA STORMTROOPER E UR BARBARIAN TROOPER FROM THE SOUTH

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Bj
13/6/2020 02:46:19 pm

Nothing like the good old day

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Glenice Denize link
12/11/2020 10:58:24 am

I grew up on our farm next door to Constable Ralph Davis parents farm at Mangawhai.. This nasty incident in Moerewa ruined a good Constables job and life.. I havnt seen Ralph for years but heard yesterday he may live in Whangarei . I am going to find out.. Glenice

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Glenice Denize link
12/11/2020 02:46:37 pm

I have been thinking about The comment I put on about Constable Ralph Davis.......I think perhaps I should remove the notice but I dont know how..... Please remove it For me Thankyou Glenice Denize

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Allan Toi
3/6/2021 06:43:36 pm

Kia Ora Whanau, I was 15 at the time, Traveling with the local troopers, we had just arrived in town. The riot was over and the troopers were gathered together whilst the police where assembled waiting for reinforcements. We then left the scene. And that was my recollection. I wasn't a trooper but just hung around with family members,

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Johnny Weke link
7/7/2021 11:18:09 pm

Stormtroopers the best aotearoa 4eva !!!

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jake the muss
30/9/2021 08:30:24 pm

has anybody seen beth heke she was last seen athe moerewa shop buying sum eggs

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teke
25/5/2022 09:23:34 am

fk up

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Ngawai
9/8/2022 07:40:44 pm

A cop who was there told me the only reason officer Davis survived is because he was intubated with a beer line from the pub, without that he would have died.

Reply



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