A grieving whānau has accused police of harassment during a funeral procession from West Auckland to Māngere, despite efforts to ensure a peaceful service free of gang insignia.

The funeral was held for a 29-year-old member of the King Cobras (KC), with attendees from multiple gangs, including Black Power, Mongrel Mob, Headhunters, and Killer Bees. According to whānau, members purposefully removed patches and took precautions to avoid legal trouble.

However, a close family friend—who has no gang affiliation—says police presence felt excessive and intimidating.

Claims of police intimidation

Speaking to Te Ao Māori News under anonymity, Ana* alleges that she and her 26-year-old son were harassed by police while driving in the funeral convoy, with three young children in the back seat. She claims officers hovered around the procession, taking photographs of mourners and vehicles, including those with children.

“It felt like we were part of an investigation,” Ana said. “It was an invasion of privacy.”

According to Ana, police stopped their vehicle during the journey, claiming it was following too closely. She alleges an officer took the car keys and ordered her son out of the vehicle.

“There were no gang patches here. You have no right to interfere,” she told police, demanding the keys back. Police deny the extent of her claims, stating the driver was warned about unsafe driving.

Police defend presence citing safety concerns

In a written statement, police rejected accusations of harassment, saying their focus was public safety.

“Our intention was for loved ones to mourn and pay their respects safely, while also ensuring the safety of the wider public,” police said.

They confirmed infringement notices were issued to two motorcyclists leading the 35-vehicle convoy, citing poor driving, crossing into oncoming traffic, and blocking intersections.

While police acknowledged there were no major issues among the 350 mourners, they stated officers responded to “a handful of unsafe incidents.”

Allegations of tattoo harassment

Another woman at the tangi claimed police confronted two King Cobra members who had removed their shirts due to the heat, exposing gang-related tattoos.

She alleges officers aggressively ordered them to cover up.

“Put that f***ing t-shirt on, cover up that sh*t on your back or we’ll f***ing arrest you,” she recalled a police officer saying.

The woman, a devout Christian, said she was shaken by the incident.

“I prayed for them, but I prayed for the police more—that their hearts change. This isn’t God’s love, and it isn’t even the law. This is an attack.”

Police deny the allegation.

A peaceful tangi despite tensions

Despite the police presence, mourners described the tangi as a moving and family-oriented farewell. KC members helped prepare and serve kai, likening the gathering to a marae setting.

“The police were hovering around using intimidation tactics, which was funny because that’s what they said the gangs were doing,” Ana said. Her sons grew up with the deceased man, and she described him as “family, he was just one of our kids”.

The incident has reignited discussions around police treatment of gang whānau and the balance between law enforcement and cultural respect.