A district court judge has urged the people of troubled Murupara to do all they can to sort out the town's gang problems.
Judge James Weir made the plea in Rotorua District Court today while sentencing four Murupara gang members on various violence charges resulting from a clash between Tribesmen and Mongrel Mob members in January last year.
The gangs have been at war with each other in the isolated eastern Bay of Plenty township for a number of years.
Judge Weir noted that the uncle of one of the men being sentenced wanted a hui to be held with whanau to help restore relationships.
"Until something like this occurs in Murupara the outlook is bleak," the judge said.
He repeated this plea to Murupara residents in the public gallery after sentencing the men.
"I express the sincere hope that this happens because this behaviour in Murupara has just got to stop," he said.
The quartet were being sentenced after a violent brawl at a party.
Rory Tewarena Hanuera, 20, was jailed for 10 months on a charge of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, but is eligible for five months' home detention when a suitable address becomes available.
Dylan Duff-Martin, 19, was jailed for 12 months on a similar charge but is also able to have that cut by half if somewhere can be found for him to spend that time on home detention.
Chevy Miki and Francis Hanuera, both 23, were each sentenced to six months' home detention.
Miki was found guilty of injuring with intent to injure and Francis Hanuera had pleaded guilty to assault with intent to injure after failing to appear at his trial.
NZN