Iwi Whakamahu: Police say no reported firearm threat near Rātana

New Zealand Police say they were not aware of any reported firearms-related threat near Rātana, following claims made on TikTok by social media personality Martel Wikeepa, who is also known online as “Shubz”.

In a video posted and widely shared on social media, Wikeepa claimed his life had been threatened by an individual allegedly carrying a gun in the Rātana area. The video prompted concern among viewers and spread rapidly across platforms.

However, Police have confirmed they received no report of any such incident and were not alerted to any firearms-related threat in the area at the time the claims were made.

“At this time, Police has not received a report relating to this,” a Police spokesperson said. “If you or anybody else is in immediate danger, please call 111.”

Police also reminded the public that non-urgent information can be provided through the 105 service, either by phone or online at 105.police.govt.nz. Anonymous information can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Several members of the local community said they were unaware of any incident and rejected the claims outright. One whānau member described the video as “a lie for clicks”, saying it was inappropriate to bring such allegations into a significant cultural gathering and harmful to the wairua of the occasion.

Another community member, when shown the video, dismissed it bluntly, saying they did not want that kind of behaviour in the area.

Iwi leaders also expressed frustration, saying incidents like this are why unverified social media claims should be ignored. One leader suggested Wikeepa’s own whānau should intervene and have a serious chat with him.

Those spoken to indicated there was no disruption at the time, no emergency response, and no evidence of any firearm-related threat.

At this stage, there is no independent verification of the claims made in the TikTok video. Police continue to encourage anyone who genuinely feels threatened to contact them immediately through official channels.