In the 1970s, then Prime Minister Robert Muldoon met with members of the Black Power gang in a Wellington tavern, according to a prison reform advocate. The meeting, which took place in the early years of Muldoon’s leadership, is cited as an example of political engagement with organized groups. The advocate, who has spoken on prison reform and criminal justice policy, noted that such interactions were not uncommon during that era.
The meeting between Muldoon and the Black Power gang is part of a broader discussion on how politicians historically dealt with organized crime. The advocate emphasized that while such meetings may have been rare, they were part of a strategy to address social unrest and criminal activity through dialogue rather than confrontation. The event is now being revisited in academic and policy circles as part of a reassessment of historical governance practices.
