| Founded | 1970 |
|---|---|
| In | Wellington |
| Years active | 1970-present |
| Territory | Nation-wide |
| Ethnicity | Mixed, predominantly Māori and Polynesian |
| Criminal activities | Drug dealing, assault, murder |
| Allies | Crips and Dark Side |
| Rivals | Mongrel Mob |
Black Power is a prominent gang in New Zealand. It was formed as the "Black Bulls" by Rei Harris and Māori youth in Wellington about 1970,[1][2] in response to the rival Mongrel Mob gang and enemy White Power associated gangs. The gang then spread to other major centres and rural towns in New Zealand. Members are predominantly Māori and Polynesian.
The gang is heavily involved in organised crime, such as drug manufacturing and dealing.[3] [4] While the gang has distanced itself from violent acts of some of its members, for example, a child abuse case, police have in return accused the gang members of using violence as a 'learned behaviour from involvement in the gang'.[5]
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Supporters of the Mongrel Mob wear their patch along with red and white scarves whilst the Black Power wear their Patch with blue and black scarves. The black power patch is closed black fist.A patch is standard uniform for a “Half Jacket” or “Cut-off” (leather or denim vest) with colours/patch (gang emblem) on the back, usually covering the back. “Rockers” have the names and place of the gang. The name usually goes on the top rocking downwards and the place on the bottom rocking upwards. There are some exceptions, like on older patches or with some of the Black Power branches who wear their faction name at the bottom like Forever, United, and Movement. The Black Power salute is the FIST including the phrases Yoza, and Yo Fuck Yo.