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Abigail Dougherty
A Mongrel Mob funeral procession for Steven Rota Taiatini has arrived in Whakatane.
Hundreds of gang members from Mongrel Mob chapters have descended on the Eastern Bay of Plenty for the funeral of gang leader Steven Taiatini.
The mourners gathered in Ōpōtiki on Wednesday and then the large funeral procession drove the 44km to Whakatane, where the funeral was held at Hillcrest Crematorium.
Abigail Dougherty
The Mongrel Mob funeral procession moves through Whakatane.
There was a huge police presence along the way – and the procession itself was led by an unmarked police car.
An American vintage car was used as the hearse. Mob members young and old hung out of car windows – some even travelled on vehicle roofs – giving gang signs and “barking” in the signature Mongrel Mob style.
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At one point the highway just out of Ōpōtiki was blocked for several minutes.
Tourists and other road users watched on with bemused looks.
Abigail Dougherty
Several roads were closed as the Mongrel Mob funeral procession passed by.
Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander, Acting Inspector Tristan Murray, said police were working to stop unlawful behaviour as the tangi began.
“Police are out in large numbers stopping vehicles and collecting footage of reckless driving behaviour and the registered owners of these vehicles will be identified, with a view to impounding vehicles doing burnouts and issuing infringement notices for other breaches of the Land Transport Act,” Murray said.
A section of State Highway 2 was closed while the funeral procession travelled to Whakatane from Ōpōtiki. It has reopened.
Abigail Dougherty
14062023 News Photo: Abigail Dougherty/Stuff. Mongrel Mob funeral procession for Steven Rota Taiatini in Whakatane.
The westbound section of State Highway 2 was expected to be temporarily closed between 2-2.30pm as the procession headed back towards Ōpōtiki this afternoon, he said.
Police would be maintaining a visible presence on the roads around Ōpōtiki for the rest of the day.
“We urge all those travelling on our roads to not act in a way that puts others at risk,” Murray said.
Anyone who worried about their safety or saw illegal behaviour, should call 111 immediately, he said.
Abigail Dougherty
A Mongrel Mob funeral procession for Steven Rota Taiatini in Whakatane.
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