Wanganui Man Was Murdered for Wearing the Wrong Colour

Now it seems that innocent members of the public have to take care over how they dress in New Zealand's gang town strongholds.

Perhaps Lonely Planet should amend their information, so that visitors know how to dress?

Wanganui has a severe problem with gangs and this unprovoked murder does nothing to dispel its bad image. The Herald has already published its own "A Rough Guide to Wanganui's Gangs" (see below)

Source NZ Herald
"A man may have been murdered in Wanganui because he was wearing the wrong colour clothing, a District Court Judge has said.

Paul Shane Kumeroa, 29, died on September 25 after being left bashed and bleeding on Cross St in Castlecliff two days earlier.

Five people, three men and two women who all have interim name suppression, have been charged with his murder.

The three male accused, aged 34, 22, and 17, reappeared in Wanganui District Court on Friday.

Judge Peter Butler said during the hearing the three men and their families were Black Power affiliates or associates, but Mr Kumeroa was not a member of any gang.

"Unfortunately, the victim was wearing clothes that were the wrong colour that night and they associated him with the rival gang."

Gang tensions were "high" in Wanganui right now because the trial for the men accused of killing toddler Jhia Te Tua was still under way in Wellington, Judge Butler said.

He was concerned the killing had been a possible "tit for tat" between rival gangs.

Judge Butler released the 17 - year-old on bail with a 24 hour curfew and remanded the other two are in custody until their next court appearance on December 10.

The two women, aged 22 and 19, charged over the killing will appear in court on December 8."

A Rough Guide to Wanganui's Gangs

by Paul Harper, NZ Herald

"Mongrel Mob

The Mongrel Mob has been active in New Zealand since the 1960s, with its members predominantly from Maori and Pacific communities. The gang is involved in drug dealing, armed robberies, assaults and theft. Patched Mongrel Mob members were responsible for the killing of 2-year-old Jhia Te Tua on May 5 last year. Te Tua's father was a member of the Mongrel Mob's main rival, Black Power.

Black Power

Unlike the Mongrel Mob, which recruits members regardless of their ethnicity, Black Power is a Maori organisation. Formed in the early 1970s, the gang has sought credibility as a political civil rights movement but this has not reduced criminal activity. Rifts are said to have emerged within the gang between older members and more recent recruits who are dealing in hard drugs, such as P.

Hell's Angels

Harley Davidsons are the bike of choice for international motorcycle gang Hell's Angels, who have been active in New Zealand since the early 1960s. The gang is involved in organised crime such as money laundering and drug manufacturing and dealing. Police believe the gang is now co-operating with other gangs in the production and selling of methamphetamines.

Tribesmen

The new gang on the block in Wanganui, police say they have seen an increased presence from the gang since they launched a crackdown on the Mongrel Mob following Jhia's death. Operating across the North Island, members have been convicted of everything from methamphetamine manufacture to murder."