The Gangs Act 2024 bans the display of gang patches in public places, and provides extra tools to target gang-related crime and intimidation. To earn the right to wear a gang patch you have to have committed violent crime. There are a trail of tears and victims behind each one of those gang patches,” he said in a statement. Attorney-General Judith Collins previously said the gang patch ban was inconsistent with the Bill of Rights Act (Bora), specifically the freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. An officer could direct the removal of a gang patch in other places “if fear and intimidation is likely to occur”.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 20, 2024 16:10 UTC