Mobster jailed for part in shooting

A man who took part in a large gathering of Mongrel Mob members intended to intimidate rivals has been jailed.

Tony Tai Rakena appeared for sentencing in the Palmerston North District Court yesterday on one charge of unlawful assembly, and one of assault for an unrelated incident.

The altercation in 2023 involved 20 members of the gang who went to the Highbury Shopping Centre about 10.30am on March 15.

They knew Black Power members were living in nearby homes and wanted to intimidate or provoke them. After pulling gang signs towards the properties, a ute started driving towards the group.

It mounted a curb and as it drove towards the agitated crowd, Judge Lance Rowe said one person pulled out a 9mm handgun and fired three shots at the vehicle.

A fellow mobster then pulled out a sawnoff shotgun and continued firing.

Rowe said it was just luck no members of the public were hurt.

A number of others were also charged in relation to the altercation and had already been sentenced for their roles.

Rowe said the ute had carried on driving along Highbury Ave while more shots were fired, and this was a busy thoroughfare for the city.

Wearing a patch, Rakena ran after the ute as it drove away and raised his hands pulling gangs signs.

Rowe said this signified his involvement in the “pre-planned and premeditated” gathering that was meant to intimidate and provoke a rival gang.

Four months later and while on bail for that offending, Rakena was drinking with friends when an argument broke out with his partner.

She left the address at about 10pm but at 3am Rakena went to where she was staying. The fight continued and as she fled to a bedroom, Rakena threw her to the ground, held her by the shoulders and applied pressure.

Rowe said the woman managed to get away and Rakena apologised before threatening to break her jaw if she went to another bedroom.

The woman had marks on her neck, but there was nothing in the summary of facts to say he strangled her.

Rowe said if he did put his hands there this “was an extraordinarily dangerous thing to do”.

He also noted Rakena had previous convictions, including in 2021 for a “gang taxation” or burglary. He was also found two weeks after that incident with a loaded gun.

Rowe accepted Rakena had no intention of leaving the Mongrel Mob, but urged him to delve into his whakapapa and find a better way forward. He set a starting point of six months’ jail for the unlawful assembly, with another six months for the assault.

He said this was an act of control and domination, and the threat to his partner he made was chilling.

He allowed a three-month discount for Rakena’s guilty pleas, and credit for time spent on electronically-monitored bail, but added a further three months for his criminal history.

This meant an end sentence of 10 months’ imprisonment, but because of time already spent in custody Rakena would be released “very soon”.