Gang Patch Legislation, New Zealands Ranking on the Climate Change Performance Index, and Puberty Blockers w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: November 27, 2024

Last week, the government’s ban on gang patches officially came into effect. Under the new law, gang insignia is now officially banned in public places and police now have the power to break up large groups in public for causing fear and intimidation and can issue orders preventing gang members from associating or communicating for up to three years.

While hailed by the coalition government as a bold step in their “Tough on Crime” approach to law and order, the law has been questioned by experts and even a number of police officers themselves, who say that a suppression approach to policing gangs is likely to push gang activity to the periphery instead of eradicating it, and that it would disproportionately target marginalised communities.

For our weekly catch up, News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendedz-March about the gang patch ban coming into effect and the party’s take on it.

They also had a discussion about the fall in New Zealand’s ranking on the Climate Change Performance Index, as well as the Ministry of Health's evidence brief and position statement on puberty blockers.