7. Question No. 7—PoliceHon MARK MITCHELL (National—Whangaparāoa) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 7—Police7. Hon MARK MITCHELL (National—Whangaparāoa) to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by her statement I reject the premise that gang tensions have increased under this Government's watch"; if so how does she reconcile that with reported police intelligence which states parts of the country have experienced unprecedented levels of gang violence in the past year?Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister of Police): I stand by the full context of all of my answers at question time. In answer to the member's second question gangs have been a feature of New Zealand society for well over half a century. What police intelligence shows us is that the arrival of the 501s in 2015 has fundamentally changed the nature of gangs making them much more overt and sophisticated. This was responded to at the time by cutting police numbers. That's why since 2017 we have funded the largest increase in organised crime staff deployed 1400 more cops across the country and introduced legislation to give police more tools to address gang violence. Hon Mark Mitchell: Why do gangs have more guns under her watch?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I would like the member to quantify that for me please.Hon Mark Mitchell: Point of order Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: We'll take a point of order if the member wants one.Hon Mark Mitchell: I thought it was the Opposition's chance to ask the Government Ministers questions not the other way round.Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Speaking to the point of order.SPEAKER: Sorry no. Sorry—I thank the member but I don't need her help. I should have ruled the question out all right? You can't just use an unsubstantiated statement like that. [Interruption] Who said that? Who said that that's right then?Hon Nanaia Mahuta: I did.SPEAKER: Well can I ask the member just to stand withdraw and apologise.Hon Nanaia Mahuta: I withdraw and apologise.Hon Mark Mitchell: Does the Minister agree with Detective Superintendent Greg Williams "Gangs have always had guns but that is increasing and we're seeing a greater propensity to use them."?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: As I've said many times gangs have been a feature of New Zealand society and that's why as a Government we have responded by funding more than 700 more organised crime staff and that's why we deploy tactical response units and that's why we've introduced legislation to give police more powers to tackle gun crime. Hon Mark Mitchell: Point of order Mr Speaker. I'm seeking your guidance. It was a very direct question and it was asking whether or not the Minister agreed with or not the quote of Detective Superintendent Greg Williams who is in charge of the national organised crime unit in this country.SPEAKER: Yes and I think the Minister not only agreed but added far too much to the answer.Hon Mark Mitchell: So if the Minister agrees with Detective Superintendent Greg Williams' quote why do gangs have more guns under her watch?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I just want to confirm for that member what I actually said which was "gangs have been a feature of New Zealand society for well over half a century". That's why we have responded by funding 700 more organised crime staff that's why we've deployed tactical response units and that's why we have introduced legislation to give police more powers to tackle gun crime.Hon Mark Mitchell: Point of order Mr Speaker. In my last point of order you indicated to me that the Minister had indicated that she agreed with Detective Superintendent Greg Williams' quote and in his quote he said that firearms have increased—that gangs have got more firearms. I then went back to the Minister and asked her based on her response to that and she's now refusing to answer the question.SPEAKER: No she didn't refuse to answer the question at all. Does the member have a further supplementary? Hon Mark Mitchell: Why do gangs have more guns under her watch?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I would like that member to provide evidence to that fact—authenticate your question."