Newstalk ZB
A former patched Black Power member was born into a life akin to the movie Once Were Warriors, and went on to live by only one code – one of gangs, guns and drug dealing. But now Daniel Tewini Ngatai, 37, says he has turned his life around. His claims, supported by a recovery centre boss, included that he was sober, mentoring others, and planned to have his facial tattoos removed. In the Manukau District Court, where he stood this week, ready to pay the price for his most recent crimes, he pleaded with a judge to allow him to stay in the community and with his family, so he could continue helping others. Judge Janey Forrest commended Ngatai for confronting his past and turning his life around, but said, with a “really sad heart”, she had to send him to prison. The courtroom was filled with Ngatai’s family as well as his recovery “brothers” – former gang members from different gangs, many also with facial tattoos, whom he had mentored. His emotional supporters said goodbye to him, and Judge Forrest took a minute for herself. Gang-on-gang shooting The court heard that in February 2022, Ngatai was caught up in a lifestyle of gangs, drugs and violence. He was at a friend’s home in Māngere, South Auckland, when two members of the King Cobras gang drove down the long driveway, approaching the house. Ngatai spoke to the gang members through a gate and there was a disagreement. He went back into the house while the King Cobras went back to their car, with one getting into the driver’s seat. A few minutes later, Ngatai came out of the house with a shotgun and fired at the men. The driver began to reverse down the driveway while the passenger tried getting into one of the car’s back doors. Ngatai fired two more shots at the man outside the vehicle. The man retreated to the boot of the car, retrieved a shotgun of his own and shot back at Ngatai, who again returned fire. Ngatai left the address. Neighbours who heard the gunshots called the police, who, upon entering the house, found CCTV footage of the incident. ‘Significant’ damage to a police car Then, in November of 2022, police received a call from a member of the public about a black Holden on the road in Papakura, South Auckland. An officer spotted Ngatai driving the car and began following him. While his patrol car was parked behind Ngatai at the lights, Ngatai revved his engine loudly before reversing at speed into the police car, causing significant damage. Daniel Terewini Ngatai rammed his car into a police vehicle. Photo / Bevan Conley Ngatai then sped away, mounting the curb and hitting the side of a building as he did so. Shortly after, the Police Eagle Helicopter spotted the Holden abandoned in Manurewa. A police search of the vehicle found a shotgun with a metal pole taped to the stock, and ammunition. A gang-related stick-up Three days later, Ngatai and another Black Power member, Jordan Shortland, approached a house in Papakura, South Auckland. The house had a tall metal gate with spikes on top at the start of the driveway and was home to Killer Beez associate Arden Jennings. Ngatai and Shortland climbed over the gate and found Jennings outside feeding his cat. They pulled a sawn-off double-barreled shotgun on Jennings and demanded to be let into the garage. “Open up the garage or I’ll shoot you,” Shortland threatened. Jennings unlocked the garage and went inside, followed by the Black Power members, who both demanded he give them the keys to his Harley Davidson. Ngatai then pointed the shotgun at Jennings and fired, missing the man and hitting a nearby toolbox. Daniel Tewini Ngatai told Judge Janey Forrest he was ready to accept the consequences of his offending. Photo / Ella Scott-Fleming He then began punching Jennings in the head, Shortland joined in, both throwing around 20 punches in total and continuing to demand the keys. They then left, with Shortland telling Jennings the motorcycle was “his” and he would be back to claim it. Jennings told his father, wh...
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