Labour says it is ready to work with the Government on ways to combat gang crime and drug trafficking.
Party leader Phil Goff told the Police Association conference in Wellington today a Commission of Inquiry into organised criminal gangs should be established and Labour would promote that through a member's bill in Parliament.
"Most New Zealanders think criminal gangs are the patch-wearing thugs with facial tattoos," he said.
"But those who advertise themselves in that way are not the most serious part of the problem."
Mr Goff said organised crime bosses kept low profiles and made huge profits - well over $1 billion a year from the drug `P' alone.
"We need to know how they launder their profits through legitimate businesses and about their links with international crime syndicates," he said.
Police Minister Judith Collins opened the conference yesterday and also focused on gang crime.
She said the arrival of home-made methamphetamine a decade ago opened a new and incredibly lucrative market.
"The millions to be made making and selling this fiercely addictive drug changed the face of gangs forever," Ms Collins said.
"They have gone to extraordinary lengths to appear to be good corporate citizens and legitimise their activities."
Ms Collins said gangs in Auckland organised kick boxing fight nights, held classes for children and after-ball functions for girls from private schools.
The Killer Beez owned the hip hop record label Colourways, she said.
"Its music videos are thinly disguised recruitment advertisements for the gang and are played on mainstream TV."
Ms Collins said gangs had infiltrated businesses, turning legitimate enterprises into money-laundering outlets.
"Their money has bought them a veneer of legitimacy that is far more dangerous to our society than anything we have seen before."
