New Zealand - Gang links shock whanau

OFF THE WIRE
BY: LYN HUMPHREYS
stuff.co.nz
The whanau of an allegedly high-ranking patched Rebels member were shocked to hear of his links to the illegal motorcycle gang, the New Plymouth District Court was told during a bail hearing.
Dallas Hikaka, 41, a psychiatric nurse, has been in custody in New Plymouth Prison since his arrest last week.
Hikaka was one of 16 Taranaki people rounded up following a drug-related police surveillance operation called Operation Puff focusing on the Rebels.
Police allege that three of those arrested, Hikaka, Nathan Couper, 37, and Garry Dewar, 39, are Taranaki Rebels gang members.
All three have been charged with belonging to a criminal gang. Couper and Hikaka are charged with class A illegal drug offences while Dewar is charged with cultivating cannabis.
Yesterday Hikaka appeared in court, supported by about 10 family members, asking to be bailed to family living at Parihaka Pa, Pungarehu.
His lawyer, Turitea Bolstad, said if bail was granted, Hikaka would stay at the home of a woman he respected.
His whanau did not tolerate any gang affiliation or activities and wished to help him, Ms Bolstad said.
Prosecuting, Senior Sergeant Malcolm Greig said police opposed bail primarily because of the serious nature of the charges and concerns there would be interference with witnesses.
Judge Heather Simpson declined bail. Police alleged Hikaka had a high rank within the Rebels motorcycle club, she said.
While the judge said she had the greatest respect for traditional values of Parihaka, Hikaka had not been involved with those when he allegedly offended and there was a need to balance this against the public interest.
Hikaka was remanded in custody until September 29.