Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples has been criticised as "naive" for trying to save a Black Power stronghold from being demolished.
The MP wrote to the Auckland City Council asking staff to ignore illegal structures on the Mt Wellington property - the hub of a $1.5 million cannabis ring - and to grant a waiver for breaches of the district plan.
The Black Power headquarters was seized and sold under the Proceeds of Crime Act to a new owner, who was in negotiations to sell the property to a trust connected to Dr Sharples' Tamaki Makarau electorate manager.
Members of the gang have already moved back in.
Police Association president Greg O'Connor said Dr Sharples was "naive" to support Black Power, as Maori youth were the ones being targeted as gang recruits.
"The gang is going to be more successful in recruiting when they have successes like this [the gang moving in]. Young Maori will see that the Black Power won and the police lost," said Mr O'Connor.
"That's exactly how it is going to be seen. Does Pita Sharples want gangs to be role models for Maori? Because that is naive."
We agree with Greg O'Connor, but we reckon that he's been a bit light on Dr Sharples. Calling his support of Black Power "naive" is one word for it, but we'd go a step further and use three words - absolute bloody stupidity.
Dr Sharples should realise more than anyone that gangs are evil, and have had their day. Michael Laws and the Wanganui District Council have shown that there are ways and means of dealing with gangs, and getting a message to them that they are persona non grata in our communities. It's time for Pita Sharples to man up and admit that he made a big mistake on this issue; that's what a person of mana would do. But we won't hold our breath waiting for that to happen!
1 comments:
"gangs are evil, and have had their day"
And you call Sharples naive!
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