Man charged with murder after gang boss’ death

Tuesday, 19 March 2024

Hundreds of Mongrel Mob members gathered in Ōpōtiki for the funeral of slain Barbarians boss Steven Taiatini.

Mongrel Mob Barbarbians president Steven Taiatini died after being run over by a ute on June 9, 2023.
Now, a 50-year-old man has been charged with Taiatini’s murder.
The man is due in Whakatāne District Court on Tuesday.

A man has been charged with murder after an Ōpōtiki gang boss was hit by a car and killed following a late night fight last year.

Mongrel Mob Barbarbians president Steven Taiatini, 45, died after being run over by a ute on St John St in Ōpōtiki on June 9, 2023.

Steven Taiatini, 45, was fatally struck by a vehicle on Saint John St in Ōpōtiki.

Now, a 50-year-old man has been charged with Taiatini’s murder.

Taiatini was Mongrel Mob Barbarbians president.

The man is due Whakatāne District Court on Tuesday, and had previously been charged with perverting the course of justice.

A 19-year-old man and a 41-year-old man remain are also face charges in relation to the ongoing homicide investigation.

Police previously said they understood “a series of violent incidents” led up to Taiatini’s death.

According to Detective Inspector Craig Rawlinson, following Taiatini’s death there were retribution attacks, including the arson of a family home linked to Black Power.

Dozens of police officers were brought into Ōpōtiki to keep the peace in the wake of Taiatini’s death.