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The leader of an anti-Asian crime march held in east Auckland over the weekend says engaging triad gangs for protection would be a last resort.
Over the weekend more than 10,000 people took to the streets in east Auckland to campaign against violence targeted at the Asian community. The march was sparked by three recent high profile killings.
Peter Low, who organised a weekend anti-march in east Auckland, had shocked some by saying if the police and government fail to act to make the streets safe, he would consider calling on triad enforcers to protect the community.
The government criticised his comments as completely unacceptable.
But Low says he has been misreported and just wants to encourage people to learn how to protect themselves and be vigilant, not use violence.
"We are not the triad, we are not the mob, but by all means if the government's not going to protect me and I cannot protect myself I would have to employ someone, maybe personal security or bodyguard," said Low.
The suggestion sparked strong words from Corrections Minister Phil Goff who said the idea was extreme, counterproductive and utterly objectionable.
Prime Minister Helen Clark was also highly critical.
"I'm not for one moment going to tolerate a man who says 'I'm going to work with Asian triad gangs to control crime'. Asian triad gangs are crime, they are a curse on any society. We don't want them here," says Clark.
Low will now engage in talks with the police, council and government to try and address the problem.
But he says there will be more protests if things do not change.
"I might do another one if the government don't react or the police don't react," says Low.
