In recent years, the government of New Zealand has taken steps to crack down on gangs and disrupt

their operations through the implementation of new laws and regulations. One such law is the Criminal
Proceeds (Recovery) Act, which has been amended to include provisions that extend to associates of
organized crime organizations. Under this law, individuals accused of being members of these
organizations may be required to demonstrate to the court how they obtained their assets, or risk
having them seized by the government. This threshold for "unaccounted for" assets is set at around
$30,000.

Gangs have been a notable and recognizable feature of New Zealand's social environment for decades
(Dennehey & Newbold, 2001; Gilbert, 2013; Manning, 1958; Payne, 1997). The high risk of crime
involvement and long-term alienation from mainstream communities that often result from gang
membership can lead to a lack of sympathy from the general public. However, it is important to note
that gangs also present difficulties for correctional practice and reintegration into society (Fleisher &
Decker, 2001; Nadesu, 2009; Wilson & Tamatea, 2010).

The impact of criminal gangs on ordinary New Zealand citizens is a significant concern. Gang-related
crime, including drug trafficking and violence, has been linked to increased rates of crime and harm in
communities across the country (Barr, 2020). Furthermore, the presence of gangs can create a climate
of fear and intimidation, which can have a negative impact on the psychological well-being of individuals
and communities (Walton & Mays, 2018).

There are a number of strategies that have been proposed to address the problem of criminal gangs in
New Zealand. One approach is to focus on prevention and early intervention, by providing support and
resources to at-risk individuals and communities to reduce the likelihood of them becoming involved in
gang activity (Ministry of Justice, 2020). This can include programs that provide education and job
training, as well as mentoring and support services for youth.

Another approach is to focus on law enforcement and criminal justice measures to disrupt and
dismantle gang activity. This can include increased surveillance and intelligence-gathering, as well as the
use of specialized units and task forces to target gang-related crime (Walton & Mays, 2018).
Additionally, the use of anti-gang legislation and civil gang injunctions can be effective in disrupting the
operations and activities of gangs (Barr, 2020).

In addition to these strategies, it is also important to consider the broader societal and economic factors
that contribute to the formation and persistence of criminal gangs. This can include addressing issues
such as poverty, inequality, and social exclusion (Ministry of Justice, 2020). Furthermore, it is important
to engage with communities and involve them in the development and implementation of strategies to
address gang-related crime (Walton & Mays, 2018).
In addition to the changes to the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act, the government has also
implemented new regulations that give police targeted search warrants and greater authority to locate
and seize weapons from gang members during conflicts, make it illegal to threaten someone with a
firearm anywhere instead of just inside a home, and broaden the current vehicle impoundment policy.

Since the implementation of these laws and regulations, police have confiscated an estimated $513
million in cash and assets from gangs. The government's goal is to exceed $500 million in confiscations
by the end of June, in order to have a direct and substantial impact on organized crime. By taking away
assets obtained through criminal activity, the government aims to send the message that crime does not
pay and to remove the lifestyle and "high-end toys" that gangs use to lure new members.

In conclusion, the recent changes to laws and regulations aimed at gangs in New Zealand are an attempt
to disrupt and dismantle the operations of these organizations, which have been linked to a significant
amount of violence and organized crime in the country. By targeting the assets and profits of these
groups, the government hopes to make their activities less profitable and less attractive to potential
members. While it may be impossible to completely eliminate gangs and their criminal activities, these
measures are a step in the right direction towards reducing their impact on society.

The impact of criminal gangs on ordinary New Zealand citizens is a significant concern that requires a
multifaceted approach. Prevention and early intervention, law enforcement and criminal justice
measures, and addressing broader societal and economic factors are all important strategies that need
to be considered. Furthermore, engaging and involving communities in the development and
implementation of strategies is crucial to effectively address gang-related crime.

References

Dennehey, V. M., & Newbold, G. B. (2001). Gangs and youth subcultures: International explorations.
John Wiley & Sons.

Gilbert, R. (2013). New Zealand's gangs: A history of violence. Auckland University Press.

Manning, J. (1958). The sociology of a New Zealand village. New Zealand Council for Educational
Research.

Payne, J. (1997). Gangs and youth subcultures: International explorations. John Wiley & Sons.

Fleisher, M., & Decker, S. (2001). The youth gang problem: A community approach. Oxford University
Press.

Nadesu, L. (2009). Gangs and the Military: Gangs in the New Zealand Defence Force. Victoria University
of Wellington.

Wilson, A., & Tamatea, L. (2010). Gangs in New Zealand: An overview. New Zealand Police
End

The impact of criminal gangs on ordinary New Zealand citizens is a significant concern. Gang-related
crime, including drug trafficking and violence, has been linked to increased rates of crime and harm in
communities across the country (Barr, 2020). Furthermore, the presence of gangs can create a climate
of fear and intimidation, which can have a negative impact on the psychological well-being of individuals
and communities (Walton & Mays, 2018).

There are a number of strategies that have been proposed to address the problem of criminal gangs in
New Zealand. One approach is to focus on prevention and early intervention, by providing support and
resources to at-risk individuals and communities to reduce the likelihood of them becoming involved in
gang activity (Ministry of Justice, 2020). This can include programs that provide education and job
training, as well as mentoring and support services for youth.

Another approach is to focus on law enforcement and criminal justice measures to disrupt and
dismantle gang activity. This can include increased surveillance and intelligence-gathering, as well as the
use of specialized units and task forces to target gang-related crime (Walton & Mays, 2018).
Additionally, the use of anti-gang legislation and civil gang injunctions can be effective in disrupting the
operations and activities of gangs (Barr, 2020).

In addition to these strategies, it is also important to consider the broader societal and economic factors
that contribute to the formation and persistence of criminal gangs. This can include addressing issues
such as poverty, inequality, and social exclusion (Ministry of Justice, 2020). Furthermore, it is important
to engage with communities and involve them in the development and implementation of strategies to
address gang-related crime (Walton & Mays, 2018).

In conclusion, the impact of criminal gangs on ordinary New Zealand citizens is a significant concern that
requires a multifaceted approach. Prevention and early intervention, law enforcement and criminal
justice measures, and addressing broader societal and economic factors are all important strategies that
need to be considered. Furthermore, engaging and involving communities in the development and
implementation of strategies is crucial to effectively address gang-related crime.

References

Barr, D. (2020). Gangs and organised crime in New Zealand. New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved from
https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/research-papers/document/00PLLawRP20201/gangs-and-organised-
crime-in-new-zealand
Ministry of Justice. (2020). Tackling criminal gangs in New Zealand. Retrieved from
https://www.justice.govt.nz/justice-sector-policy/crime/tackling-gang-activity/

Walton, J., & Mays, N. (2018). Gangs, crime and society. Routledge