Mongrel Mob members descend on Southland - Gore mayor annoyed

Wednesday, 3 February 2021

A large group of Mongrel Mob members are in Southland on Wednesday, with these three riding towards Invercargill after visiting Bluff in the morning.

A large group of Mongrel Mob members, who are being monitored by police as they travel around the South Island, have descended on Southland.

Stuff understands they plan to attend the birthday parties of three mob members in Mataura, where they have been arriving over the past couple of days.

Some have been travelling while in the south, with more than 20 riding to Invercargill and to Bluff on Wednesday while being followed by police.

The presence of the Mob in the small township of Mataura, which has its own chapter of the gang, has annoyed and disappointed the Gore district mayor.

“It is something Mataura does not need,” mayor Tracy Hicks said.

More than 20 Mongrel Mob members were in Bluff on Wednesday.

* Dozens of Mongrel Mob members in South Island for national gathering

* Tempers flare at Mataura meeting about ouvea premix

“It just brings anxiety to our community and we can do without it.

“I am just hoping everyone behaves themselves.”

Hicks said he had had several discussions with police during the past couple of days and had received assurance police were keeping a close eye on proceedings.

Mongrel Mob members posed for a photo while in Bluff on Wednesday.

Police were restricted on what they could do when the Mob members were not breaking the law, Hicks said.

Mob members from around the country had been in Christchurch at the weekend for a hui, where it is alleged one attacked a member of the public, with some then travelling to Queenstown and then on to Mataura.

Others rode directly to Mataura from Christchurch, Stuff understands.

Hicks said there had been a Mongrel Mob presence in Mataura for the best part of 30 years but it had ramped up significantly in recent times.

“For a long time it was local people that everyone knew but there are certainly a lot of new faces now.”

The invasion of Mob members to Mataura this week, from around the country, coincides with the townsfolk receiving the good news that tonnes of flammable premix stored in an old warehouse in the town will be moved to Tiwai Point.

A lot of good things were happening in the township and the Mongrel Mob descending on the town was “unhelpful to say the least”, Hicks said.

A police spokeswoman said Southland police had additional resources in the area in case of any incidents.

There had been no issues so far, she said.

“We understand they are currently in Mataura where they will be spending a couple of days before moving on.”