Sepuloni Carmel: Wanganui District Council (Prohibition of Gang Insignia) Bill — In Committee 
Sepuloni Carmel: Wanganui District Council (Prohibition of Gang Insignia) Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:653;Page:2562] 
CARMEL SEPULONI (Labour) 
: 
 We are opposed to clause 6. We are opposed to the entire bill actually. This bill the Wanganui District Council (Prohibition of Gang Insignia) Bill—and that should be “Whanganui” with an “h”—is aimed at outlawing the wearing of gang insignia in specified public places. We do not disagree with the goal of cracking down on gangs but this bill simply will not work. 
Banning gang insignia from public places follows an “out of sight out of mind” rule. It addresses the issue of what gang members wear as opposed to what they do when the very real reality is that it is gang violence and criminal gang activity that require serious attention not the wardrobes of the gang members. 
 The bill is built on the premise that “the wearing or displaying of gang insignia particularly in public places has contributed to an increasing gang problem in the Wanganui district. It sought views from members of the public on this bill by means of a referendum. We understand that the council does not believe that the enactment of this bill would solve the gang problems in Wanganui but considers that it could form the beginning of a solution.” So the bill “could form the beginning of a solution” but “the council does not believe that the enactment of this bill would solve the gang problems in Wanganui.” With that in mind why would we support this bill and in particular clause 6? 
When I read this bill I think of my 21-year-old cousin who 2 years ago was involved in a youth gang. I think about the tattoo on the side of his arm showing the insignia of his youth gang. When I consider this bill in relation to his involvement with that gang I wonder what he and his peers would think of it. As far I am concerned I think they would go out and get more T-shirts and caps printed with the name of the youth gang on them. It all comes down to status. All this bill does effectively is reinforce the status—albeit a negative status—of gangs. 
For many gang members the naming of their gang in legislation would be perceived as a badge of honour. That is effectively what we are doing as we try to outlaw gang insignia in public places. As I said in my maiden speech the negative stigma imposed on our youth impacts on their self-perception but they thrive on it regardless because it is attention none the less. When we say to them that a gang is illegal we give them attention and some sort of status. Effectively the bill will do the complete opposite of what it is expected to do. 
If the Government thinks that this bill in all reality is a good idea then why is it not imposing it on the rest of New Zealand instead of just Wanganui? Obviously even the Government does not believe that this bill is a good idea; otherwise it would spread it across the rest of the country. 
As I was saying earlier the biggest problem with this bill is that it serves as a badge of honour for our gangs by giving them some sort of status. Effectively the bill will not do anything to stop the gang problem because it does not address what the gangs are doing wrong in terms of criminal activity; all it does is address the issue of their wardrobes. Thank you very much Mr Chair.