What really happened at Mongrel Mob’s methamphetamine treatment programme

Supporters said those with lived experience with gangs were best placed to address drug harm in those communities, which were poorly served by mainstream services.

Critics argued it was perverse to seize the gangs’ ill-gotten assets, and then give money back to them to address social problems arising from the substances they sold.

“We are not going to fund the Mongrel Mob to deliver programmes around meth when they are some of the biggest dealers in methamphetamine,” Police Minister Mark Mitchell said in mid-2024, when announcing an end to the funding.

The Herald has reviewed hundreds of pages of reports into the programme’s nine intakes, from July 2021 to March 2024, released under the Official Information Act (OIA).

They paint a picture of an evolving programme that dealt with complex mental health issues, structural challenges largely beyond its control – such as graduates returning to insecure housing where drug use was prevalent – and disruptions because of Covid lockdowns, Cyclone Gabrielle, and the bail or probation obligations of some participants.

The report for the final intake said a “significant” number appeared to stay clean in follow-up testing three months after the programme finished, with positive feedback for the tikanga-centred approach in particular, and the “by the mob, for the mob” basis, which encouraged accountability, supporting each other and opening up in group therapy.

The reports showed about 80 participants across the nine intakes, up to 12 per intake.

Each intake went through an eight-week live-in programme at the Tapairu Marae in Waipawa, Central Hawke’s Bay, followed by two weeks of reintegration. Wraparound support services were also available for a further six weeks.

They were drug-tested at the beginning, with almost all of them testing positive for methamphetamine, and then spent the first week or two detoxing. Features of this period were heavy sleeping, healthy eating and light exercise.

Addiction treatment with clinicians and health professionals then started, which included group sessions on trauma and grief, emotional regulation, suicide prevention and identifying triggers to help prevent relapse. The Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in state care highlighted how that abuse is associated with intergenerational trauma for people who ended up in gangs.

Cultural immersion to build self-worth and connection was also a key part of the programme: haka, karakia, waiata and whakapapa and te reo learning. Physical activity programmes increased as the programme progressed.

Intake five, for example, had the support of a New Zealand touch rugby representative, whose name is redacted, helping to facilitate participants playing rugby league.

“I have played in many sporting tournaments touch, rugby and rugby league and have also had the privilege to represent New Zealand in touch, but this tournament would quite possibly be the best I have ever been a part of,” the sportsman is quoted as saying in the report for the fifth intake.

“So to see sport and Mongrel Mob come together on one day, was very heartwarming.”

Practical help came towards the end of the live-in part of the programme, such as with welfare applications, writing CVs, enrolling with GPs, or applying for driver licences, jobs or training courses.

A nurse, quoted in the report for intake six, noted: “Several of our Pou [peer support workers] who have been through Kahukura previously made the move to address health concerns whilst in Kahukura and are now actively managing their own health better than before Kahukura. This has been a delight to see and to be able to follow their progress or assist in their progress as they continue their journey post-Kahukura is very rewarding.”

It wasn’t all plain sailing. The report for intake eight noted an attempt to smuggle in contraband.

Tighter entry protocols were also put in place, an attempt to filter out those with high mental health needs who might be better served in an in-patient clinic.

Participants’ whānau and partners also became more involved with later intakes, a recognition of how an unstable home environment could compromise recovery.

“It was felt that the main challenges with whaiora on this cohort actually came from the problematic behaviours and high needs of their partners,” the report from the seventh intake said.

“It is clear there is a need for targeted AOD and trauma recovery support for wahine and whānau within the community, and we have started some initial thinking about what this could look like.”

In follow-ups about three months after graduation, many participants said they remained meth-free, with improvements in overall wellbeing as well as whānau relationships.

An exact figure is not possible from the reports, as only some of them include data for the post-programme checks, while others have the data redacted.

Available data shows that some relapsed at some point, while a minority were using methamphetamine regularly after the programme. This data is caveated as mostly self-reported.

“Anecdotal evidence shows a high completion rate, with a significant number of tāne reporting no use or reduced use of methamphetamine since taking part in the programme,” the report following the ninth and final intake said.

Some completed the programme and then found work in construction or labouring, for example, or training - including driver licensing programmes, first aid, or vocational training.

This was more likely among later intakes, as the programme formalised its reintegration support, and a stark contrast to almost all participants being jobless when they entered the programme.

Some returned to the programme as peer support for future intakes, while others inspired their parents, siblings or partners to apply for the programme.

The tikanga-based nature of the programme was regularly praised in post-programme feedback, with graduates citing it as key towards better relationships with community, whānau and themselves.

Another strong sentiment was how the Mongrel Mob-led nature of the programme helped them engage with it, and with each other.

“Honestly I wouldn’t want this any other way run by the Mongrel Mob,” a participant in intake one said.

“Feels really good and inspiring being with mongrels ready for change can relate to our brothers struggle its real [sic],” a participant from intake two said.

Others talked about how being with other gang members helped them open up.

“All but one tāne [out of eight graduates] felt it was beneficial talking to others in the group, with benefits including help to understand difficult concepts, a sense of understanding and similarity, the lack of judgment of each other, and being able to open up because of their shared gang background,” the seventh intake report said.

The report for the sixth intake noted the challenges of this part of the community, with many participants having a history of “physical, sexual and mental abuse and intergenerational exclusion from health and social services”.

“The ability of Kahukura to work with these whaiora and achieve positive outcomes, with the vast majority graduating through the programme is therefore a considerable achievement,” the report said.

“Over time we have built positive relationships with Police, Corrections and MSD [the Ministry of Social Development] to start to break down barriers, build understanding on both sides, support compliance and facilitate access to support. There are key individuals within these organisations who are committed to doing things differently and taking a flexible approach, and we are pleased with the results including increased uptake of benefits, greater engagement in education, training and employment, improved understanding of [redacted].”

One of the biggest barriers for recovery was a lack of secure, drug-free housing, a problem so acute that programme leaders hosted some of the graduates from the seventh intake.

Other challenges outside the programme’s parameters included participants’ poverty, high levels of distress and anxiety in their homes, and a shortage of GPs and mental health services in the area.

The complexity of mental health issues – including psychosis, severe depression or suicidal ideation – was also a challenge that sometimes only emerged after detox, when the effects of an addiction haze lifted.

“Consistent learnings from Kahukura are that it is not the right place for whaiora with high mental health needs, and that whaiora admitted under urgency generally cause difficulty and disruptions for staff and other whaiora,” the seventh intake report said.

Clinical professionals had advised taking those in high distress to hospital.

“However, because of personal relationships within the community it is very difficult to decline someone presenting at Kahukura in high distress. This is exacerbated by the difficulties the health system has in meeting the needs of these whaiora, and barriers specific to hard-to-reach communities, including prejudice and a lack of trust.

“Because of this, Kahukura is seen as the best of the limited options available.”

This intake was particularly challenging, with an attempt among participants to bring in contraband – the substance is not identified, or is redacted in the notes – while two of the 10 entrants fell short of graduating.

“It is noted this is a common issue amongst rehab programmes and Kahukura is not unusual in this respect,” the report said of the contraband.

News of the funding being cut was met with “disappointment”, the report for the ninth and final intake said.

“We are at a critical juncture where there is a high risk of any progress towards healthy behaviours being reversed, especially as this close-knit community grieves the loss of our Rangatira [redacted, but thought to be Sonny Smith].

“It underscores the urgent need for continued support and resources to safeguard the hard-won gains and ensure lasting positive outcomes for all involved.”

A final evaluation for the Kahukura programme is more than a year overdue, having initially been expected at the start of 2025. It is unclear why it has been delayed.

Te Whatu Ora said the evaluation report was still not ready for publication, and was “currently under review”.

Harry Tam declined to comment to the Herald, saying that he did not talk to NZME - which owns the Herald as well as Hawke’s Bay Today - because of the way its journalists and photographers had filmed the back of the marae, making it feel like “rehab under siege”.

National MP Rima Nakhle has a member’s bill, inherited from caucus colleague Simeon Brown, that would prevent any public money from going to gang-associated organisations.

“Trusting gangs to encourage people to transition away from crime over lawful programme providers is a backwards approach to public safety, akin to trusting wolves with guarding sheep,” Nakhle said.

The bill has been pulled from the ballot but was yet to have its first reading.

If passed, it could create tension with some in the AOD sector who reach out to gangs or links to gangs in an effort to reduce drug-related harm.

Methamphetamine consumption skyrocketed in 2024, and has remained high; last year was the highest annual consumption on record.

The police annual overview report for 2025 estimated $1.8 billion in meth-related social harm, with 1751kg of “minimum annual consumption” – wastewater data covers about 77% of the population – representing about 88 million doses.

With the annual health survey showing no significant increase in the number of users, it is thought that existing users are becoming heavier users.

The Government last year announced a multifaceted plan to tackle the issue. It involves, among other things, sending out New Zealand’s Navy, spies and police to hunt drug-smuggling routes from Central America and South America.

The plan also puts $30m out of the mental health and addiction budget over four years into treatment and early intervention services in communities hit hardest by meth, and a $5.9m national prevention campaign paid for with the seized proceeds of crime.

The Government has also announced $11.9m for the Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities (ROCC) programme, funded from the Proceeds of Crime Fund.

ROCC brings together government agencies, community organisations, service providers and local leaders to reduce organised crime and drug-related harm.

“We are taking money off criminals and putting it straight back into stopping gangs from recruiting, reducing meth harm and supporting practical frontline initiatives that work,” Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee said.

Derek Cheng is a senior journalist who started at the Herald in 2004. He has worked several stints in the press gallery team and is a former deputy political editor.