Six members of the Mongrel Mob have been found guilty of serious violent offences following a major police investigation into gang activity in Southland.

The convictions, delivered in the Christchurch District Court, relate to incidents in 2022 involving kidnapping, drive-by shootings, and assaults that left victims with critical injuries.

The investigation, known as Operation Pakari, was led by Southland Police and focused on gang-related violence that escalated over several months. The operation culminated in June 2023, with 21 people facing a range of charges.

Due to various factors, six defendants went on trial in Christchurch on 1 July 2025 facing 12 charges, including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping, and injuring with intent to injure.

Inspector Mike Bowman said the convictions were the result of a complex and detailed investigation.

“I’m incredibly pleased that the thorough investigation by our staff has resulted in convictions in court, meaning those responsible for this offending will be held to account,” he said.

He confirmed the victims in the assaults were members of the Mongrel Mob and were mostly uncooperative with police.

“This was a very complex, difficult investigation and the prosecution of this group has been one of the more challenging cases for Southland Police in recent times,” said Bowman.

“This investigation is testament to the fact that everyone can expect to be held to account for violent offending, no matter who you are or who the victims are.”

He also acknowledged the work carried out in the community throughout the operation.

“Our role at the time of these arrests was to help ensure that Whanau and household members directly impacted by the arrests were well supported,” he said.

“This involved working alongside our partner agencies to provide them the ongoing support they needed, and to help ensure any further harm and offending was minimised.”

That support work continues under the Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities programme, launched in Southland in 2023. The programme brings together agencies including mana whenua, NGOs, community representatives, Police, and people with lived experience of organised crime.

Police said other matters linked to Operation Pakari are still before the courts.