Why the notorious Mongrel Mob gang are furious about the the new Kiwi prime minister

One of the leaders of New Zealand’s most notorious gang has abandoned new Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s proposed policies.

Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom leader Sonny Fatupaito claimed the new National-led government’s policies on gangs will result in chaos, instability and human rights abuses.

One of these proposals would make gang membership an aggravating factor in sentencing, which would result in harsher penalties for members who face violations.

The government wants to give police the power to conduct unwarranted searches to find weapons and limit meetings and communications between members.

‘I think we have every right to be like every New Zealander. They have the same rights that we should have,” Fatupaito told the newspaper New Zealand herald.

Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom leader Sonny Fatupaito (pictured) raised serious concerns about gang policies proposed by the National Party

The Mongrel Mob leader said members should be able to “express who we are.”

Another policy the National party has put forward is banning gang patches in public places, which are already banned on government buildings.

Mr Fatupaito said that while this would not affect the Mongrel Mob as such, he believes it would be unfair to other gangs.

Another law is the Dissemination Notice Policy, which allows law enforcement agencies to hit people they suspect are part of gangs with public non-association orders.

Mr Fatupaito was particularly critical of this, explaining that it was unfair that extended family members or those not even associated with gangs could be targeted.

“I think punishing everyone actually feels like it’s a prison,” he said.

He said it would deter gang members from attending events such as birthdays or tangihanga – a traditional funeral ritual practiced by the Māori people.

He also shared concerns that this would lead to a deterioration in the Mongrels’ relationship with the police after significant “progress” had been made.

Despite the perceived negative consequences, Mr. Fatupaito said he was open to discussing these issues with the new national government.

Christopher Luxon (pictured left with wife Amanda Luxon) becomes New Zealand’s next Prime Minister after the National Party won 39 percent of the vote in the election

But the Mongrel Mob leader’s concerns have been dismissed by National police spokesman Mark Mitchell.

“If you choose to stay in gangs and sell drugs and misery in our communities, life will be a lot harder under a government-led government,” he told the publication.

Mitchell instead urged current members to leave their gangs and said the government will work with those who want to “rejoin society.”

He added that the country’s led government would not be “threatened or intimidated” by gangs.

Mr Luxon will become the country’s next prime minister after the National Party won 39 percent of the vote in the federal election, by far the largest share of any party.

Under New Zealand’s proportional system, National plans to form a coalition with the libertarian ACT party.

The two parties together have only a slim majority, which could evaporate once the remaining 20 percent of outstanding votes are counted. In that case, the parties would also need the support of a third party, New Zealand First.

Mr Luxon said the only roles secured so far were his as prime minister, and his deputy, Nicola Willis, as finance minister.

The final voting result will be announced in early November.