Six members of the Mongrel Mob have been sentenced in the High Court at Christchurch for a series of violent crimes committed in Southland in 2022.

The gang members received prison terms ranging from three years and four months to six years.

Southland Area Commander Inspector Mike Bowman said the outcome sent a strong message to organised crime groups.

“The sentencing of all six offenders sends a clear message to organised crime groups that behaviour like this will not be tolerated in our community,” Bowman said. “Those who choose to offend in this way, causing this type of harm, can expect to be held accountable.”

In January 2022, Southland experienced a surge of violent offending linked to the Mongrel Mob, including drive-by shootings and serious assaults that left several people critically injured.

Police launched Operation Pakari, a detailed investigation into the gang’s activity, which concluded in June 2023 with multiple arrests.

Inspector Bowman said he hoped the sentencing provided reassurance to the public.

“I want to thank our investigation team, who worked incredibly hard to put a halt to this offending, and our officers and partner agencies who continue to work with our communities through our Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities programme,” he said.

“Part of our job is continuing to ensure that family and household members directly impacted by the offending and sentencing are well supported.”

He added that the operation had made a measurable impact on crime in the region.

“The operation is a great piece of work that’s happened in the Southland policing area, which has seen a 17 percent reduction in overall offences since June 2023. Our work continues, and we thank our communities for their ongoing support,” Bowman said.