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Gang members from New Zealand with Cook Islands heritage causing serious concerns

By Talaia Mika , Cook Islands News Cook Islands Police media and strategic advisor Trevor Pitt told Cook Islands News that the movement of known gang members is a regional problem that has found its way into the Cooks. Photo: Cook Islands Police The growing presence and influence of organised gang members from New Zealand with Cook Islands heritage is causing serious concern for local authorities, with police confirming that the Cook Islands is one of the destinations affected by transnational gang mobility across the Pacific. Cook Islands Police media and strategic advisor Trevor Pitt told Cook Islands News that the movement of known gang members is a regional problem that has found its way into the Cooks. "As for the gangs issue, yes I can confirm that the mobility of organised gangs is a concern to law enforcement, not just for the Cook Islands but throughout the Pacific Islands," Pitt said. "We are just one of the destinations impacted by the movement of known gang members." This comes at the back of the New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers visit to the Cook Islands on Wednesday to deepen its relationship with the Cook Islands Police Service and assist in whatever way they can. Cook Islands News understands that some individuals with connections to these gangs had been posting videos of their lifestyles on TikTok with local youth engaging with and reacting to this content online - a growing concern in terms of influence and aspiration. Pitt said the Cook Islands Police is part of a broader multi-agency network that includes Immigration, Customs, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), and Transnational Crime Units (TCUs) across the region, including New Zealand and Australia. He said collaboration and information sharing are critical in developing strategies to combat cross-border criminal activity. He added that while he could not speak for the other agencies, the police partnership with New Zealand Police and Australian authorities are vital, especially as more Cook Islanders with gang ties return home. "The increased mobility of known gang members to the Cook Islands is a growing concern, particularly as our own people are part of the organised criminal element," he said. While Immigration requirements are being followed, Pitt said Police cannot stop Cook Islanders from entering the country if they comply with border regulations. Pitt added that one of the greatest challenges lies with vulnerable youth, especially those sent from New Zealand or Australia due to family problems. "Our at-risk youth are an ongoing problem. That includes those young ones who, unfortunately, are often sent from NZ or Australia due to family issues," he said. "These teens would be at risk whether here or in NZ as organised gangs are known to target troubled youth that are caught up in broken homes and families." Despite existing leadership and youth development initiatives run by Police each year, Pitt acknowledged that the resources to support these young people are limited and the outcomes are not always consistent. "The Police can only do so much with the juveniles and our programmes are limited to the youth leadership and development courses, each year," he said. "While we certainly value the support and cooperation of NZ with these, impact upon troubled juveniles is mixed at best." The rising visibility of gang influence through social media, combined with the real-world presence of returning or visiting gang-linked individuals, has escalated concerns about the safety and well-being of Cook Islands youth. Pitt emphasised that strengthening tactical cooperation with international law enforcement is now a top priority for the Cook Islands Police in the face of these evolving threats. Chambers confirmed that New Zealand is open to supporting the Cook Islands in tackling the gang issue and addressing the potential spread of transnational crime. "We're very open to supporting the Cook Islands in any way that we can," Chambers told Cook Islands News during his visit to Rarotonga. -This article was first published by Cook Islands News .