From NZ Herald · · 2m
Did Mongrel Mob Meth Program Work?
Mongrel Mob's $2.75m meth rehab program helped many stay clean but faces funding cut.
In brief
Mongrel Mob's $2.75m meth rehab program helped many stay clean but faces funding cut. Mongrel Mob's meth addiction program reduced use for many participants but funding was cut in 2024. Originally reported by NZ Herald.
Mongrel Mob Meth Program
Mongrel Mob ran a $2.75 million methamphetamine treatment program for 80 participants from mid-2021 to mid-2024.
“Mongrel Mob ran a $2.75 million methamphetamine treatment program for 80 participants from mid-2021 to mid-2024.”
Program Structure
Each intake had an eight-week live-in program at Tapairu Marae in Waipawa, followed by two weeks of reintegration and six weeks of wraparound support.
“Each intake had an eight-week live-in program at the Tapairu Marae in Waipawa, followed by two weeks of reintegration and six weeks of wraparound support.”
Participant Outcomes
Many participants reported staying meth-free three months after program completion with improved wellbeing and whānau relationships.
“Many participants reported staying meth-free three months after program completion with improved wellbeing and whānau relationships.”
Mongrel Mob Leadership
Harry Tam, a Mongrel Mob honorary life member, ran Hard 2 Reach, the consultancy managing the program with clinical experts.
“Harry Tam, a Mongrel Mob honorary life member, ran Hard 2 Reach, the consultancy managing the program with clinical experts.”
Funding Cut
Police Minister Mark Mitchell cut funding for Kahukura in 2024, citing concerns about using gang assets for drug rehabilitation.
“Police Minister Mark Mitchell cut funding for Kahukura in 2024, citing concerns about using gang assets for drug rehabilitation.”
Community Impact
The program built relationships with Police, Corrections, and Ministry of Social Development to improve access to support services.
“The program built relationships with Police, Corrections, and MSD to start to break down barriers, build understanding on both sides, support compliance and facilitate access to support.”
Challenges
Participants faced issues like unstable housing, high mental health needs, and contraband smuggling attempts.
“Participants faced issues like unstable housing, high mental health needs, and contraband smuggling attempts.”
Funding Delay
A final evaluation report for Kahukura was overdue, with the government expecting it by early 2025 but it remained incomplete.
“A final evaluation for the Kahukura programme is more than a year overdue, having initially been expected at the start of 2025.”
Political Response
National MP Rima Nakhle proposed a bill to ban public funding for gang-associated organizations, which passed its first reading.
“National MP Rima Nakhle has a member’s bill, inherited from her caucus colleague Simeon Brown, that would prevent any public money from going to gang-associated organisations.”
Meth Consumption
Methamphetamine consumption reached 1751kg in 2025, the highest annual consumption on record.
“Methamphetamine consumption in 2025 was 1751kg, according to wastewater data - the highest ever recorded.”
Program Benefits
Participants valued the program's tikanga-based approach and the Mongrel Mob-led environment for accountability and support.
“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.”
Participant Testimonials
Graduates said being with other gang members helped them open up and stay engaged in recovery.
“Honestly I wouldn’t want this any other way run by the mongrel mob, a participant in intake one said.”
Mental Health Challenges
Many participants had histories of physical, sexual, and mental abuse and intergenerational exclusion from services.
“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.”
Funding Controversy
The program received $2.75 million in Proceeds of Crime funding with sign-off from then-Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern.
“The programme received $2.75 million in Proceeds of Crime funding with sign-off from then-Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern, the Ministry of Health, and Hawke’s Bay police.”
Program Completion
The program had a high completion rate with many participants finding work in construction, laboring, or vocational training after completion.
“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.”
Next Steps
The program faces urgent need for continued support to maintain gains after funding was cut in 2024.
“News of the funding being cut was met with 'disappointment', the report for the ninth and final intake said.”
What to remember
Mongrel Mob's meth addiction program reduced use for many participants but funding was cut in 2024.
