Four arrests, items seized, in relation to gang member's funeral

Thursday, 15 January 2026

Four people have been arrested, with airguns seized, during a week-long operation linked to gang member Tyrone George Michael Whittaker’s funeral in Christchurch.

Canterbury police district commander Superintendent Tony Hill said officers launched a significant operation as gang members travelled to the city for the event.

Whittaker was a patched member of the Tribesman gang, who died recently in what were non-suspicious medical circumstances.

He was sentenced to 18 months' intensive supervision at the Christchurch District Court in July 2023 on a raft of charges related to threatening and intimidating hospital staff, and dangerous driving causing injury.

Hill said the police operation began on Thursday, January 8, as gang members started arriving in Christchurch, and ran through to Tuesday, as they dispersed.

Four people were arrested, including one person for a gang insignia breach. The other arrests were for outstanding warrants and driving offences.

Police also impounded a motorcycle and a vehicle.

A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of an air pistol, an air rifle and associated magazine and ammunition.

Hill said police were still working through material gathered during the operation, which included assessing potential breaches of gang-related legislation.

Videos posted on social media show a large procession of motorcycles and vehicles travelling “through the hood” as part of the events.

An earlier version of this story said firearms were seized. They were airguns. (Amended at 4.45pm on January 21, 2026)