The Mongrel Mob Barbarians have set up shop in the top of the South Island for the first time - police reckon they are chasing the premium price methamphetamine sales gets there.

But the small town of Motueka is banding together to stop the rise of gangs.

First step is banning the patches, but there are meetings to come, figuring out what else should be done.

Until recently, the area has remained relatively untouched by this gang,Tasman Police Detective Paul Borrell said.

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Stuff Mongrel Mob gang insignia (file photo).

The Mongrel Mob Barbarians was a chapter from the North Island's East Coast, which is migrating south. ​

He believed the higher price for methamphetamine in the area had made it an attractive place for gangs to set up shop.

"It could be driven by a lack of supply, or for some reason people are prepared to pay more. But from a criminal perspective, there's more money to be made, it's about $200 dearer on average than in other places," Borrell said.

During July, there were numerous sightings of people wearing Mongrel Mob insignia on High St in Motueka.

"The unusual aspect with these guys is they're on motorcycles ... they're quite visual, you see them around in their patches which is quite unusual, quite new to Nelson."

There were about five members in total along with some "hangers-on", he said.

But seeing patched members in the community raised alarm for the locals, so the community was fighting back.

CHERIE SIVIGNON/STUFF Tasman district councillor Paul Hawkes.

Richmond Police Senior Sergeant Mike Wardle said during the past few weeks, the incidences of people wearing gang patches in public had dropped off in Motueka - because businesses were banning the patch.

​"The community decided they didn't like it, and started telling people if they come into their shops they can't wear their gang patch ... that seems to have stopped it," Wardle said.

While there were fewer sightings during August, the issue was set to be discussed with police at a Community Board meeting in Motueka on Tuesday.

"The community board have asked us to talk to them, about what we're doing, things we've got in place."

Motueka Community Board chairman Brent Maru received about 20 concerned messages in the past month.

The board was working with council and police to monitor the situation, although Maru had not heard anything about sightings in the past two or three weeks - which he said was "fantastic".

He credited a community-wide approach for turnaround.

"It is a community issue; it's not a police issue, it's not a council issue," he said. "It's a collective responsibility."



The biggest issue for Maru was gang patches being worn in public.

"In a town where I have a family, do I want to walk down town and see patched gang members? Absolutely not.

"If I walk down town and don't see patched members, are there still other people out there engaged in illegal activities? Absolutely - I just don't know and they don't stand out."

Tasman District Councillor Paul Hawkes had seen patched gang members walking around on more than one occasion.

"To me it's a matter of perception, it's intimidation. If they weren't wearing their insignia, I doubt there would even be an issue.

"That incites people to to get their heckles up right from the word go and feel intimidated."

Hawkes was open to meeting with the people in question, to clear up what their ambitions in Motueka were.

"That would shut down any of the speculation and rumours.

"Their intentions may be honourable, but with past experiences of gangs in other places there is always that criminal element."

Hawkes said while the situation needed to be addressed, it was taking the focus away from a more pressing issue.

"Motueka is very rife with drugs at the moment, I'd rather take the focus away from gangs and put the focus on getting Motueka drug-free.

"They're the issue in Motueka, they're the issue in New Zealand end of story.

"If you could come up with a magic bullet where you can eliminate the drug scene, then you'll eliminate most of the criminal activity."