New Zealand Nomads
{{Short description|New Zealand criminal gang}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox Criminal organization
| name = Nomads
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| founded = 1977
| founding location = Horowhenua
| founded by = Dennis Hines
| years active = 1977–present
| territory = New Zealand
| ethnic makeup =
| membership est =
| criminal activities = Drug dealing, theft, murder, Extortion
| allies = Black Power, Head Hunters
| rivals = Mongrel Mob
}}
The Nomads are a large organised criminal gang formed in the Horowhenua Wellington, New Zealand.
History
The Nomads were originally members of the Black Power, known as the "Black Power Nomads", before a large portion of the gang split and formed their own gang in 1977.{{cite web|url=http://www.nzedge.com/features/ar-denis01.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227164723/http://www.nzedge.com/features/ar-denis01.html|title=The New Zealand Edge : Hot : Nga Kupu Aroha - Words of Love|archivedate=27 December 2007|accessdate=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}}
In 1997, tensions heated up with the Highway 61 gang and resulted in the murder of Nomad Malcom Munns.{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10121063|title=Drug trade : The gang rap sheet |work=The New Zealand Herald|accessdate=29 November 2014}}
In 2009, Nomads founder and President Dennis Hines died. He is the brother of senior Head Hunters member, William Hines.{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10581170|title=Cancer silences tyrant who ruled through violence|work=The New Zealand Herald|accessdate=29 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006132344/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10581170|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead}}
He was imprisoned on a count of nearly 100 criminal convictions.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/6453168/Fights-in-gang-spurred-by-death|title=Fights in gang spurred by death|work=Stuff|date=20 February 2012|accessdate=29 November 2014}}
The gang had 103 members in prison in 2013.{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8773381/LA-style-gangs-fuel-problems-in-NZ-prisons |title=LA-style gangs fuel problems in NZ prisons |date=9 June 2013 |work=Stuff|accessdate=29 November 2014}}
Paul Rodgers (Porky Rimene) is the Nomad gang boss.{{cite news |last1=Cornish |first1=Sophie |title=Gang uses footage of alleged crime in online promotional video |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/122521154/gang-uses-footage-of-alleged-crime-in-online-promotional-video |access-date=5 January 2021 |work=Stuff |date=22 August 2020}}
Notable members
{{famous|date=January 2023}}
- Dennis Hines - founder and long serving President, died 7 June 2009.
- Jack Whakatihi - {{Cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/10444178/Gang-boss-can-keep-car-and-cash-judge |title=Gang boss can keep car and cash - judge |publisher=Stuff |access-date=26 December 2023}} Nomad President from 2009. Imprisoned 2012.
- Malcom Munns - murdered by the Highway 61 gang.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3600280|title=Vengeance in gangland|date=13 October 2004|newspaper=New Zealand Herald}}
- Paul Rodgers (Porky Rimene) - jailed in 2012 for 15 years for supplying methamphetamine.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/7633267/gang-boss-porky-jailed-for-drugs|title=Gang boss 'Porky' jailed for drugs|date=7 September 2012}}
- Ji (Rex) Daley - Jailed in 2006 and 2020 for violent offending.{{cite news|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nomad-gang-member-rex-daley-jailed-for-meth-fuelled-shooting-in-masterton/CMQIPVBNRV2XCK7OGYAKTYYLK4/|title=Nomad gang member Rex Daley jailed for 'meth-fuelled' shooting in Masterton|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald|date=3 July 2020|first=Melissa|last=Nightingale}}