“Turn the planes around and make a point to the Australian
Government that New Zealand is not the dumping ground for your criminals” and the
argument that Australia allowed these people to become gang members and should
therefore, carry the costs, is facile
When a non-New Zealand born person commits crime in this
country, they are subject to the same outcome as is served up by
Australia. Furthermore, I suspect that
there is no country where this “return to sender” rule, does not apply.
“When in Rome, do as the Roman’s do”, is the appropriate maxim.
I do however, share the concern of National Maori Authority
chairman Matthew Tukaki, that the influx of a criminal element honed to the
higher level of gang violence in Australia, does present a big problem for New
Zealand.
The claim from the side-lines for more police, more
resources, is understandable, but this too borders on banal.
NZ Police have more personnel than the military. NZ Police have virtual unlimited powers when
to comes to drug crime and use of firearms.
More police and more powers, is
not the answer.
What is required is a better utilization of powers,
resources and personnel.
In my assessment as a former detective, AOS member and
inspector in charge of Auckland Criminal Intelligence Unit, I provide two
examples of below standard “service” delivery by police:
Police intelligence units failed
to deliver the level of information evaluation they should have, prior to the
Christchurch massacres.
Police misuse of major police
resources was manifest in the Dot Com raids – which were ultimately deemed
unlawful by Judge Winkelmann.
Accordingly, police must lift their game in the field of
intelligence gathering and evaluation and with this better quality of material,
they must avoid gung-ho show off behaviour and ensure they comply with the law
and reasonable use of force.
Reasonably use of force.
As a front-line inspector, I was armed 24/7. I was shot at
with a shot gun. I also faced down
bandit with a sawn-off shot gun
(2) so have some idea of the “issues”. CIB patrols on my Section were also 24/7
armed.
Today, Police already have firearms secured in cabinets in
the boots of their standard patrol vehicles, and are carried by front line C.I.B
personnel and front-line commissioned officers.
In my view, as I explain in two recent posts: “Gangs and
Guns” (2) and “Time to
arm police 24/7” (3) the environment
has changed dramatically over the past few years.
Therefore, in my view, it is not a quantum leap for
better utilization of resources to arm all police 24/7.
Arming 24/7 police will be a massive psychological boost to
front line police and more importantly, I believe it would give the wider
public an I infusion of confidence that something was being done to deal with a
problem few New Zealanders will not have recognised.
The key to this irrevocable step however, will be to address
the disturbing lack of credible legal scrutiny of police killings – and this
aspect is also addressed in the bibliographical links: (2) (3) (4)
Arming police 24/7 is not the “silver bullet” (excuse
the pun) for the gang problem.
There are white gang members. There are Pacific Islands gang members. And, there are Maori gang members. All will
ultimately come into contact with the police.
However, Maori prison population is disproportionate to
their ratio of population. To deny this
or label the claim as racists, might be the refuge of many WOKE brigade. But as PLATO once said:
We can easily forgive a child
who is afraid of the dark;
the real
tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.
In my view, Māori must turn to their own communities to
begin to address the level of gang criminality.
It’s time for Maori to take back control of the destiny of
their people. For too long, too much State “assistance” over too many decades,
has eroded too much Maori self-reliance.
Maori communities must reassert their influence – among their people –
and not as the Government attempts to do; indoctrinate the rest of NZ against
their will.
Having Maori lineage need not be an impediment.
As I’ve penned before (5), Rt Hon Winston Peters Llb, Hon Clem Simich Llb
and I, each of whom have Maori pedigree and who hailed from the same lower
socio-economic rural rump of NZ, made it – without State Aid. As have many others.
From my observations, persons of Pacific Island heritage
have very strong community bonds, preserved via church affiliations and a
determined effort to retain their cultural values. These communities do not
seek to be elevated by law, above all others.
Perhaps there is a lesson here?
Ross Meurant, graduate in politics both at university and
as a Member of Parliament; formerly police inspector in charge of Auckland
spies & V.I.P. security; currently Honorary Consul for an African state,
Trustee and CEO of Russian owned commercial assets in New Zealand and has
international business interests.
(1) https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/crime/auckland-shootings-australian-501-policy-blamed-for-rise-in-gang-violence/EQ26GY2ZJDUPGPUHVLD4HL2YM4/
(2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6vtkSZDGS0
(3) https://breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2021/12/ross-meurant-gangs-and-guns.html
(4) https://breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2021/07/ross-meurant-time-to-arm-all-police-247.html
(5) https://www.nzcpr.com/a-step-too-far-bi-cultural-partnership/
4 comments:
Ross, you would have much better insight into this than most. After reading many posts over the last couple of years by knowledgable people, on the problems inherent in and about to overwhelm our lovely country, there is only one solution. A strong, dedicated and principled political leader.Someone the majority of Kiwis respect and trust. Respect and trust and who inspires confidence. This is the only answer. The dialogue and hand-wringing is getting us absolutely nowhere.The change must come from the top.
Until this person emerges we will continue down the same track unfortunately. This could be a long road to travel.
Interesting read Ross.
Janine, history shows us that change usually starts at the bottom. Think France, Russia, Cuba.
Ray. So What do you suggest then? I have studied history also. Times have changed I am afraid. We don't need or want to go through the turmoil of WW2 or the French Revolution. If we had a decent opposition leader it would start turning things around. I know many people who don't want to vote for any of the present lot. The present politicians mostly come from the same mold. Why weren't they prepared to talk to the protesters? These people are their voter base. So they are more prepared to pander to their colleagues and the media than the people who voted for them? The citizens of New Zealand pay their salaries. We deserve better leaders.
Janine
Reality of MMP is, with rare exception (and 2019 was that once in 9 elections) major parties need minor parties for a collation.
Labour had Jim Anderton and collateral fallout and the Greens and Maori.
National finally realised they needed a coalition party and gave ACT Wellington Central and later Epsom. But that was not enough. Natz also gave Ohariu to Dunne. And Natz also had to take in NZ First or the Maori party to finally secure Treasury.
Reality is, in spite of (in my assessment) arrogance of previous National leaders saying Natz could go alone, they couldn't and STILL WONT next elections.
The most recent poll showing a swing to Natz did not much more than take from ACT. and this will continue - the same critical mass but not enough to govern without another minnow.
Your say "We deserve better leaders" - agreed - but the key to better leaders is keeping them to their pledges. Which is another reason why a new minnow may have a crucial role.
Watch this space.
Respectfully Ross
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