Police set up checkpoints in Wainuiomata ahead of a tangi for slain gang member Albert Enoka. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Police are breath testing people at a cordon in Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt, near a funeral home where people are gathering for a gang funeral today.
About 140 police are ready for a tangi for slain gang member Albert Enoka in the Wellington region as the hunt for the killer continues.
The 39-year-old was shot in the Lower Hutt suburb of Naenae on 10 December.
Police have named 28-year-old Wipuhara Kapene as the man wanted for the killing.
Dozens of police wearing high vis were stopping cars coming through, and a lots of cars are parked up outside the funeral home.
RNZ's reporter on the scene had not seen anyone wearing a gang patch.
Meanwhile, a local shop owner said it had been quiet morning and there had been no disruption.
A procession was expected to depart Wainuiomata late morning headed towards Whenua Tapu Cemetery in Porirua.
Kapene - who wears heavy Black Power facial tattoos - is considered to be armed and dangerous, and should not be approached.
Albert Enoka was shot dead was shot in the Lower Hutt suburb of Naenae last week. Photo: Supplied
Police say Wipuhara Kapene has strong links to the Wellington district, including the Wairarapa, and also has links to the Eastern district which includes Hawke's Bay Gisborne.
Police warned people should expect traffic delays on Tuesday as the body is taken from Wainuiomata in Lower Hutt to Whenua Tapu Cemetery in Porirua during the late morning.
Wipuhara Kapene is wanted for the muder of Albert Enoka in Naenae. Photo: Supplied / Police
Acting Area Commander Inspector Shaun Lingard said officers would be monitoring the funeral and procession to ensure family and mourners could grieve safely and within the law.
"We've got approximately 140 staff available for this operation.
"I would say that's a reasonably large number of police, but as they say it's better to be prepared."
This included police from outside the Wellington region alongside specialist teams. There would be checkpoints in place to monitor the procession, and officers patrolling.
The procession was likely to be on SH1 and SH2 but may also be on the alternative Haywards Hill Road / SH58 route, Lingard told Morning Report.
Police would take action where needed under the Gangs Act which bans gang insignia in public, Lindgard said, and would arrest people and take the patches.
"We're in the early days of the Gangs Act.
This is a very good tool for reducing harm in the community.
"So yes there might be significant numbers thrown into this in the next couple of months, but that will get scaled back because we understand the gangs will start to comply."
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