Women speak about overcoming abuse at Mongrel Mob Kingdom event in Hamilton

Saturday, 9 November 2019

As Nicola Dally-Paki recounted the death of slain son Moko Rangitoheriri, she spoke of the injustices she had overcome and the journey she was on.

Dally-Paki told her story at a Mongrel Mob Kingdom Whānau Day event in Hamilton on Saturday.

She was one of six speakers and stood alongside leaders in Māoridom, including former politician Dame Tariana Turia, and requested that the details of her speech be withdrawn to protect her children.

The event which is in its fourth year was created to empower women and families within the Mongrel Mob Kingdom.

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Moko was three when he was systematically beaten to death in a manner described as more brutal than the Nia Glassie case.

It made national headlines in 2015.

His killers, David Haerewa and Tania Shailer, were both sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment for his manslaughter.

Dally-Paki considered Shailer a friend, and she offered to look after Moko and his older sister, so Dally-Paki could stay in hospital with her other son.

Dally-Paki is in her first year of a law degree at Auckland University of Technology. 

Her recent path, which she was keen to share with the women at the event, has been one of empowerment. After leaving a relationship marred with domestic violence and losing her son, she is on her way to becoming educated enough to be able to advocate for Moko's legacy, to fight for justice.

Mongrel Mob president Sonny Fatupaito, who has been at the helm of the gang for the past 22 years.

He said the Mana Whānau kaupapa was given light through the Mana Wāhine kaupapa.

He revealed during his opening speech that the Waikato chapter, which has 11 branches in New Zealand and abroad had pulled from the National Mongrel Mob table two years ago.

The National Mongrel Mob table is where presidents of Mob chapters across New Zealand meet on gang issues.

Fatupaito said that although the ties to the table had been cut, he was still in regular contact with the mob gang bosses.

Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency chair Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, founder of Te Ara Pumanawa Trust Michelle Reti-Kaukau, and youth worker and family violence survivor Zania McCauley, were also guest speakers at the event.

Turia has been widely regarded as the mother of Whānau Ora and was responsible for introducing it as Government policy in 2010. She has also held several ministerial portfolios.

McCauley, a mother of four and grandmother to two girls, works in the suicide prevention area.

She detailed the abuse she suffered at the hands of her former partner, which she labelled a '16-year nightmare'.

'One thing he knew to do well was intimidate people and use and abuse people.

'My life turned into pain, suffering, heartache, desperation and depression.'

Standing on the speaking platform, supported by her son, McCauley told spoke about her life as a victim of domestic violence.

'My first two years were shit. I got beaten constantly, I got raped, I got tortured. I got belittled. I lost my will to live.'

She then spoke about her son, who witnessed the violence and the beatings.

'I feel ratshit as as a mum putting him through that.

'I was supposed to be his protector, I protected him from violence, I didn't protect him from seeing it, from seeing my black eyes or missing teeth.

'He said, 'mum when I turn 18 I'm gonna take the twins, and leave, and you can live your f….. up life with that fulla.

'I thought I had to face my fear and [leave].'

McCauley lost five first cousins and eight friends to suicide. She also considered suicide herself.

'I'm out there to support wāhine, to change the system. I chose to speak to stand up for women and for my daughters.'

Public relations stunt or real deal

Mongrel Mob Kingdom have been criticised by police who described their events as public relations stunts.

Last month Detective Sergeant Raymond Sunkel, told the New Zealand Police Association conference gangs such as the Mongrel Mob were trying to improve their image, but it was a facade.

He said gangs were 'courting the media', resulting in positive stories about gangs' impact on their communities, which ignored the reality of gangs.

'It's just nonsense.'

But Mongrel Mob Kingdom Public Relations advisor Louise Hutchinson said police used the same tactics they were accusing the gangs of using to benefit their own image.

She said the days where police owned the gang narrative were over and it was time the public got a real insight rather than a police view.

'They've got away with it for so long with telling the story and putting these people in this place and we are calling it out,' she said.

'We invited the police hierarchy Mike Bush, Mike Clements, Wally Haumaha, several from Police headquarters and the local Iwi liaison officer and we have had no response, which I think is really disappointing.'

Hutchinson said the events were not focused on expansion or PR stunts but were focused on empowering their people within the kingdom.

She said the state had disenfranchised the lower rung of society that ended up in gangs and the moves by Fatupaito were about empowering members.

'[The gang is] naturally expanding because the issues are touching peoples hearts. Sonny gets messages … It's bringing people together, it's a movement and it's powerful.'