Greens’ Marama Davidson stands by a visit to the Mongrel Mob as Hipkins attacks the Greens and Te Pāti Māori
Marama Davidson, a Greens co-leader, stood by a visit to the Mongrel Mob after criticism (RNZ, 14 October). The NZ Herald reported that the Greens would be open to funding the Mob to address drug addiction if elected, and ran an examination of whether the Mob’s methamphetamine treatment courses worked. Chris Hipkins criticised the Greens and Te Pāti Māori after the meeting (Newstalk ZB, rova). The funding amount and the terms of any deal are not stated in the headlines checked.
Gangs are a leading source of the supply of methamphetamine, and politicians argue about whether to engage with them or to confront them. The row shows how hard it is to agree on what works.
If you live in a community affected by meth, the debate is about who should deliver treatment. If you vote, it shows how the left parties differ on tone before an election in which Labour will need partners.
Supporters say treatment run by people trusted by users can reach those that public services do not.
Critics say funding a gang gives it money and legitimacy, and that outcomes have not been shown.
Judge it on evidence. What to watch: any published results from the Mob’s courses, the costing of the Greens’ proposal and whether Labour rules out working with either party.
DailyDrop New Zealand edition No. 12 · Morning · FRI., OCT. 16, 2026