Then with the soundbites out of the way, Hipkins argued that the growth of gangs was "complex" and the Government was determined to get "underneath it". We're going after guns, vehicles and cash." And Justice Minister Kiri Allan followed this line, pledging they would be "Hitting them where it hurts. Police Minister Chris Hipkins stated firmly that "We want to hit gangs where it hurts". If the Government had merely adopted National's policy prescriptions on gangs, it would have led to severe criticisms from liberals and party activists. The Labour Government therefore has faced a quandary over the need to show that they are taking gangs seriously without entirely abandoning their liberal credentials.
Tough on crime, and tough on the causes of crime Similarly, the Mongrel Mob's Harry Tam came out this week to say that the answer to the gang problem was for the Government to give more support to gang mediation efforts. He therefore argues in favour of "depoliticising" the issue and having more "kōrero" on the issues. This week, Denis O'Reilly of Black Power argued that gangs "are symptoms of much deeper problems, many of which stem from our history as a country" and that they "arise from colonialism, neoliberalism, and socioeconomic inequality". Many from within and around gangs also make some similar arguments. Governments need to reduce economic inequality and poverty, and make sure the various needs of citizens such as housing, healthcare and education are sufficiently met. In particular, it means taking a preventative approach to crime, with the argument that the sources of crime are usually based in social dysfunction which therefore needs addressing. In contrast, liberal voices want governments to acknowledge that tackling gangs requires a sophisticated approach. The argument is also made that tough policies often don't actually work in reducing crime. There's a view that hard-line policing and judicial orientations to crime is just populist opportunism. Liberals, especially on the political left, are much less enamoured by politicians taking a tough approach on law and order, and especially towards gangs. Satisfying liberal views on law and order This poll also showed law and order was ranked as the fifth-most important issue facing New Zealand, after many years of lower concern. Labour could not neglect the concerns of a voter base so crucial to their re-election next year.Īfter all, a recent opinion survey by Ipsos showed the public now views National as the party most capable of managing the crime/law issue. And not just to do so to satisfy law and order populists on the right, but also to satisfy those living in working-class communities suffering the impacts of crime. It was therefore untenable for Labour not to respond to the heightened concerns about crime. One expert, police negotiator Lance Burdett, is reported as saying there's been "a 30 to 35 per cent escalation in violence globally". Crime has generally been on the increase in many countries around the world, especially after countries have come out of Covid lockdowns and are facing all sorts of social dislocation. Gang membership numbers have apparently increased by 2000 since 2017, to 7722 members according to officials – especially because of deportations of gang members from Australia.īut there are also other factors.
This weakness wasn't just a result of tub-thumping from National and Act politicians, but also due to a very real increase in gang activity and some increases in crime, especially in parts of Auckland. So feeble, in fact, that Ardern was forced to sack the Police Minister and bring in a more effective Justice Minister. Opposition politicians and media figures had pushed the issue of gang criminality to the top of the public agenda, and Labour looked very weak. But doing nothing was no longer an option. They have needed to respond in a way that doesn't alienate either side of the liberal-conservative spectrum too much, but also finds some buy-in from both camps.Īnswering the demands for action on law and orderįor most of this year, the Government has been strangely inactive on law and order issues. And it's important to grasp how much difficulty the Labour Government has found itself in with the current law and order concerns. Electorally, this announcement will probably work well for Labour, neutralising a challenging issue for the Government.
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