12. Question No. 12—PoliceHon MARK MITCHELL (National—Whangaparāoa) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 12—Police12. Hon MARK MITCHELL (National—Whangaparāoa) to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by her statement the reality is that this Government has never been more active in targeting the gangs and criminal leaders and getting them off the streets"; if so how does she reconcile that statement with the over 40 percent increase in gang membership since October 2017?Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister of Police): I thank the member for his question—the same question he asked me yesterday. In answer to the first part of the member's question yes. This Government is committed to combating the harm caused by gangs and organised crime through a variety of measures which I outlined yesterday. In answer to the member's second question the member is referring to the national gang list—an intelligence tool designed to give police a high level understanding of the gang environment. It was never designed to be an accurate statistical count of gang membership in New Zealand. This Government will continue to support police in their work to disrupt organised crime and gang membership.Hon Mark Mitchell: Why did the Minister not establish a well-resourced dedicated national gang task force when the Labour Government was called on by National three years ago to do so; and does she think that it might have helped prevent the over 40 percent rise in gang membership and the 21 percent increase in violent crime?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I stand by the record investment that this Government has made into increasing police numbers: 1800 to be exact 700 of which will be targeted towards organised crime. If that is not a specific group to deal with organised crime I am not sure what is. We've already recruited 300 and we are well on our way to having the dedicated 700 members of that organised crime group by June next year.Hon Mark Mitchell: Has gang violence increased or decreased under her watch?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: There is no doubt that violence and gang tensions are a feature of our community and we have to do everything we can to ensure that we deal with that and we do that by ensuring the police have the resources that they need—a record $450 million increase into their budget. I might remind that member that under their Government they froze police funding which meant there was a drop in police numbers. We are committed to 1800 further police and we are committed to also further legislative support to ensure that our police can keep our communities as safe as possible.Hon Mark Mitchell: Point of order.SPEAKER: I think I can anticipate it but have a go.Hon Mark Mitchell: Can I ask the question again Mr Speaker?SPEAKER: Yes.Hon Mark Mitchell: Thank you. Has gang violence increased or decreased under her watch?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I reject the premise of that question because in order to keep our communities safe we must ensure that our police are resourced to do so. Now I'd like to remind that member yet again—yet again—that under National police numbers dropped because they froze funding. You cannot do more with less Mr Mitchell. You must make sure your police are resourced to do the job that is in front of them and that's what we are doing.Hon Mark Mitchell: What exactly is the premise that the Minister is rejecting?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I reject the premise that gang tensions have increased under this Government's watch because we have Operation Tauwhiro which resulted in a thousand arrests; every week the organised crime groups are seizing millions of dollars' worth of cash and assets; they're making dozens and dozens of arrests. We are supporting the police to do a significant job. Can I remind that member he used to be a police officer and he spends every day in this House disrespecting and diminishing the work of New Zealand police and I stand by the police every single day against your record."