As tempers flared on a recent evening in a nightlife district in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, Joanne Paikea sensed an altercation — or even an arrest — brewing.
“Bro, you know the cops are behind us,” she said, describing her efforts to soothe the surging tension between two groups.
“So you’re either going to listen, or get arrested.
The role of policing has recently come under the microscope in New Zealand, where lurid crime stories have dominated headlines.
Shootings, gang tensions and scores of ram raids — when miscreants smash into stores with cars to loot them — have rattled the peaceful nation and became an important issue in last month’s election.
Persons:
Joanne Paikea, “ Bro, ”, you’re, Paikea
Organizations:
New
Locations:
Auckland , New, New Zealand