9. Question No. 9—PoliceDANA KIRKPATRICK (National—East Coast) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 9—Police9. DANA KIRKPATRICK (National—East Coast) to the Minister of Police: What recent reports has he seen on gang convoys?Hon MARK MITCHELL (Minister of Police): I was pleased to see police's proactive enforcement response to a gang convoy through Whakatāne last year which included a response by the Eagle helicopter to ensure that the rights of law-abiding citizens to move about their towns freely are protected over and above the rights of gang members who choose to block roads intimidate people and break the law. Police arrested 15 people of which 14 were associates or patched gang members. I'm proud of the great work that our police do every day to clamp down on activity that puts the public at risk and while there is more work to be done the public can expect to see more of this proactive and positive enforcement action.Dana Kirkpatrick: How did the reports that he's seen contrast with earlier reports of gang convoys?Hon MARK MITCHELL: The people of the eastern bay do not need long memories to remember the appalling scenes in Ōpōtiki earlier last year. The town of Ōpōtiki was taken over for several days during which images of patched gang members rolling through the town flagrantly breaking laws closing down roads and preventing law-abiding members of the public going about their daily business were broadcast across the country. At that time schools were closed and the public felt extremely unsafe. Having visited shortly afterward that was reflected very clear to me by the locals there and I'm proud that already these people who did feel unsafe have been able to see such a marked change in response from police in terms of an increased gang presence in Whakatāne.Dana Kirkpatrick: What feedback has he had from locals about police's approach to the gang convoys?Hon MARK MITCHELL: Well the outstanding local MP has been very proactive in reflecting to me the positive feedback that she has had from her community when it comes to the recent convoy in Whakatāne. In addition I've continued to receive positive feedback in relation to the change in approach that started with the convoy through to Foxton late last year. I'm proud to be the Minister of Police in a Government that takes public safety seriously and that the public can already see is making a difference—that is after six years of gang members operating with a sense of impunity.Dana Kirkpatrick: What further work is under way to ensure that law-abiding citizens have their right to freedom of movement protected over gangs?Hon MARK MITCHELL: As part of the Government's hundred-day plan work is under way on banning gang patches and insignia in public as well as dispersal notices and consorting prohibition notices. These new tools will enhance police's ability to break up large gang gatherings and convoys and will go a long way to sending the very clear message that our police are in control not the gangs. This is a Government that takes public safety seriously and we'll work hard to continue to improve that. After six years of chaos we know this is a big task but we are determined to do it.