New Zealand's reputation in Australia has taken a hit with Kiwi youths being blamed for a worsening gang culture in Melbourne that is near crisis point.
Kiwi families are sending their young people to Victoria to straighten them out after they've been involved in gangs here, creating an escalating problem, according to veteran Melbourne youth worker Les Twentyman.
Melbourne has a youth unemployment rate of more than 50 percent and many were second and third generations of families who have never worked, he told Newstalk ZB today.
Young people, particularly those from parts of Africa and the Pacific Islands, were adding to the escalating problem, said Mr Twentyman.
"They are getting around like junk-yard dogs, kicking people when they're down, there's going to be a riot soon ... we used to think it was an American problem, but we can no longer afford to ignore the elephant in the room,'' he told The Age in Australia.
"There is a lot of concern about gangs, particularly the Islander kids.''
His comments come after the posting of online videos showing violent attacks and brawling.
Police are investigating an alleged assault following a brawl last month, after footage was posted online.
