Michael Laws

Jack Bullock, the eldest son of a notorious Hells Angel gang member, is to stand for the Wanganui District Council at the coming local body elections - in a city that bars his father from displaying any gang regalia, and is launching court action against the Hells Angels bikie gang.

He is doing so with the full endorsement and support of the mayor who introduced the ground breaking anti-gang legislation, Mayor Michael Laws.

In the enclosed interview, Jack Bullock outlines the personal dilemma he faced when the council took aim against local gangs, but that he finally decided that the principle was more important than familial loyalties.

"For Hells Angels and other gangs, the fact is that gang life takes precedence over family life. The gang is more important than their partners and kids.

"In the end, I supported Mayor Laws' initiative because it is right for Wanganui and right for the country.

"I'm standing for council because I believe that smaller communities like Wanganui can take big stands, and should lead the country in terms of anti-crime and family-friendly initiatives."

Mayor Michael Laws said that he welcomed Jack Bullock's decision to contest the local body elections, and said that he would be actively supporting Jack's candidacy.

"He has been a great youth leader for Wanganui, and it has taken courage to choose his path. Those are qualities and life experience that will add something special around the council table."

Interview with Council candidate, Jack Bullock

Jack Bullock was born in Wanganui, is aged 20 years and is currently a student at UCOL and the co-chair of the Wanganui Youth Council. This is his third year on the Youth Council - a now critical part of the council's policy making framework.

Unlike other youth councils in New Zealand, Wanganui's has its own budget, is strongly supported by council staff, and hosts its own events and activities.

It was always envisaged as providing leadership opportunities for young people, and to act as an apprenticeship for those seeking representation on the full council.

Jack says:

"My early life was pretty eventful - Mum moved a lot - and I had schooling in Wanganui, Auckland, Wanganui again and then we returned to Mum's home in Gisborne. We lived in a remote rural area, and my secondary schooling was mostly through Correspondence School.

"I have a lot of time for Mum. She wanted us to escape the gang environment and she wanted us kids to have a chance, free of that pressure.

"But I was not into school and all I wanted to do was get out and work on the farm. When that work dried up, I entered other jobs in the service industry before returning to Wanganui when I was 16. This is my home - this is my future.

"A year later I applied for a position on the Youth Council, was interviewed and accepted, and have spent the last couple of years playing a leadership role.

"We sit at full council meetings and provide a unique perspective. I can't remember the last time when our recommendations weren't accepted by the full Council, so obviously we are doing something right.

"Since then I've worked in the horse industry - breaking horses in and teaching kids to ride. Plus I had a stint catering so that experience has given me a good understanding of Wanganui and of the commercial community.

"It is tough out there at the moment, in this economic recession. I think Council has a responsibility to lessen the rates load at this time, and also encourage business to invest, train and adapt to the new environment. I support the council playing an active role."

But why are you standing for Council?

"I guess the biggest reason is because I want to make a difference - and I think I can. I can also offer the unique perspective of someone who is younger.

"I am in exactly that demographic - that age group - that Wanganui needs to retain. Too many people my age leave, and never come back. We are seen as too boring by some, and not offering enough jobs or opportunities by others.

"Also because I want to keep Wanganui moving forward. This community has made huge progress over the last five years, but you get the feeling that there are people who want it to stop. We have to keep going: that's why I'm standing.

"And I think I have some policies that are worth support: low rates, giving people a say, and creating more free, family events. Places where people can come together and feel part of the Wanganui community.

"I'll be releasing a full policy platform - my personal manifesto - in the next couple of weeks."

Is the Youth Council good preparation for the full Council?

"Yeah, it's really good at learning meeting procedure and finding out how council works. Also what you can do and what you can't.

"Most importantly it has taught me how to put ideas into action. It's one thing to have a concept but making it happen that is a big part of what the leadership role on the Youth Council gives you."

Given the family connection, was the anti gang by-law debate a difficult one?

"Yes, it was. I mean, on one level it was the Council versus a family member. Dad being a Hells Angel and, by association, you do feel more sensitive.

"It took me a while to get used to the idea, to try and understand all the arguments for and against. Also I wasn't sure - knowing them - how they would react. I thought maybe it was too provocative, to start with.

"But then I thought about what was the right thing to do? And I am not travelling on the same path as my father. He has chosen his fate, and I am choosing mine. I want to play a positive, constructive role in Wanganui. I want to aspire to something better for us all.

"In the end, I think council had no option. It was forced to act, and it did. And it made the right decision for the right reason. I back it 100%."