Opinion

Giving money to gangs is a risky business

Jehan Casinader
Sat, 17 Jul 2021

Giving money to gangs is a risky business

If gangs are to receive government funding, they need to meet a high bar. (Image: Tim Marshall, Unsplash)

Jehan Casinader
Sat, 17 Jul 2021

Have you heard of the “front page test”? Before making any decision, public servants are encouraged to consider: if this ended up on the front page of a newspaper, what would the consequences be? This week, the government has been dogged by a story that failed the front page test: a decision to provide $2.75 million of funding for a meth rehab programme linked to the Mongrel Mob. From a PR perspective, any headline that includes the words “government”, “gang” and “taxpayer money” is prob...

Unlock all stories
free for 10 days

Trustworthy, balanced journalism every day from our growing team of New Zealand business reporters and commentators, plus more in our weekend magazine section, The Life.

Instant News Alerts based on keywords you choose or journalists you follow
Our Daily Digest of all stories at 6am, midday or 6pm
Comprehensive business and markets coverage
News via email, web and Apple/Android apps

Try for 10 days without paying and if you’re not convinced cancel with just two clicks.

Find out more

Subscribe now

Name

E-Mail Address

Password

Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Confirm Password

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Cardholder's Name

Card

You will be charged in 10 days unless you cancel beforehand. We will remind you three times before charging you.
All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service {{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Or Subscribe with Google

Not convinced yet?

Subscribe to our Daily News Update free newsletter.

Transport

Aucklanders must get out of cars, onto public transport, says emissions plan

Oliver Lewis | Mon, 15 Aug 2022

Auckland council has unveiled its pathway to reduced transport emissions.

Law & Regulation

Address climate change now, supreme court told

Victoria Young | Mon, 15 Aug 2022

Fonterra, Genesis and others face climate change activist Mike Smith.

Law & Regulation

Fate of 'faulty' cladding in the balance as appeal court mulls submissions

Greg Hurrell | Mon, 15 Aug 2022

The fitness for purpose of James Hardie's fibreboard cladding was at the heart of a two-week trial in Wellington's court of appeal, where homeowners tried to overturn their defeat in the high court last year.

Giving money to gangs is a risky business

Subscribe now

Or Subscribe with Google

Not convinced yet?

Your company has a subscription

Team