Labour MP says the party will revoke the ‘gang patch’ law

Thursday, 21 August 2025

Labour's Peeni Henare says he would repeal the policy. But that's not the party's position.

Labour’s Tāmaki Makaurau by-election candidate says his party will scrap the ban on gang patches being worn in public places. But deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni says this is not the case.

It was a straight forward question at the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election debate on Wednesday night: “Will you repeal the gang patch law if youse (sic) come into Government?”

Te Pati Māori’s candidate Orini Kaipara was first out of the gate with a “yes”.

Labour’s Minister Sepuloni says the party has no intention of repealing the gang patch ban. She dismissed claims it was part of a policy shift, calling any confusion a misreading of debates on the campaign trail.

List MP Labour’s Peeni Henare followed, saying “āe” - which in English means yes.

The problem is, that’s not Labour’s position. While they didn’t vote in favour of the law last year, their current position is that they won’t repeal it.

“We have no intention to repeal that legislation,” Sepuloni said on Thursday. “We did oppose the bill in the House, so I’m wondering whether that led him to that conclusion, but that really needs to be a question for him.”

Despite the confusion, Sepuloni says there’s no confusion in Labour’s caucus.

“He’s on the campaign trail and occasionally things are said. I didn’t hear the debate also,” she said.

Sepuloni said it was a minor mistake, and the focus needs to be on the Government’s failure to tackle the rise of meth use, rising gang membership, and static police numbers.

National didn’t think it was a minor mistake.

National’s Justice spokesperson Paul Goldsmith said: “In a Tamaki Makaurau byelection debate last night, Peeni Henare confirmed Labour will return to the bad old days of gangs taking over towns and frightening New Zealanders.

“This is shocking, but hardly surprising from a party so soft on crime. Labour has once again shown how out of touch they are with everyday Kiwis.

“On numerous occasions, Chris Hipkins has committed to keeping National’s gang patch ban. He needs to be clear with New Zealanders – does he have any policies of his own, or is his plan dictated to him by Te Pāti Maori and the Greens?

“Banning gang patches has been an integral part of our plan to restore law and order, which we know is working. There are 28,000 fewer victims of violent crime than when we came into Government. Allowing gangs to once again behave as if they’re above the law, puts all that at risk.”

Henare has been asked for comment.