# Labour leader Chris Hipkins says Labour wrong to fund Mongrel Mob rehab

> Labour leader Chris Hipkins says party funded Mongrel Mob addiction program incorrectly.
- Title: Labour leader Chris Hipkins says Labour wrong to fund Mongrel…
- Summary: Labour leader Chris Hipkins says party funded Mongrel Mob addiction program incorrectly. Labour leader Chris Hipkins says party was wrong to fund Mongrel…
- Keywords: chris hipkins, labour, mongrel mob, rehab, addiction, election 2026, te pāti māori, green party, politics, new zealand, news, leader
- Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-chris-hipkins-says-labour-was-wrong-to-fund-mongrel-mob-rehab-programme/MC5HQ6PO5RFBRHWZI7NS6YK7RE
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: chris hipkins, labour, mongrel mob, rehab, addiction, election 2026, te pāti māori, green party, politics, new zealand, news
## Labour funding decision
Labour approved $2.75 million in Proceeds of Crime funding for Hard 2 Reach, a Mongrel Mob-run addiction program.
## Program structure
Hard 2 Reach worked with Mongrel Mob chapters, AOD clinicians, fitness instructors and suicide prevention educators.
## Leadership approval
Dame Jacinda Ardern, Grant Robertson, Poto Williams and Kris Faafoi signed off on the funding.
## Funding pulled
Police Minister Mark Mitchell called Labour's decision 'perverse' and funding was withdrawn in 2024.
## Program results
A report showed a 'significant' number stayed clean in follow-up testing three months after program ended.
## Political backlash
Green and Te Pāti Māori MPs photographed with Mongrel Mob members at Auckland gang pad.
## Hipkins' criticism
Hipkins called Labour's funding 'a huge error of judgment' and ruled out Te Pāti Māori and Greens from key ministerial roles.
## Hipkins' stance
Hipkins said no MPs should visit gang pads and criticized meth use tripling in three years.
## Te Pāti Māori response
Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara vowed to restore 'mana' to gang members during visit.
## National's response
National's justice spokesman Paul Goldsmith questioned Labour's trust on gangs and funding decisions.
## Hipkins' comparison
Hipkins compared funding gang programs to 'asking arsonists to put out the fire'.
## Marama Davidson's stance
Green co-leader Marama Davidson said she was open to supporting Mongrel Mob meth rehabilitation program.
## Hipkins' commitment
Hipkins pledged no future funding for gang-led programs after Davidson's comments.
## Kaipara's statement
Kaipara told Mongrel Mob members they are 'tangata whenua' and descendants of Māui and Toi.
## Kaipara's policy
Kaipara said community engagement is more important than perceptions of gang involvement.
## What happens next
Hipkins rules out Te Pāti Māori and Greens from key ministerial roles if they form next government.
## Key takeaway

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says party was wrong to fund Mongrel Mob-run addiction program when in power.