Wellington  - The New Zealand parliament approved a law Wednesday making it illegal for gang members to wear their "patches," or insignia, in public in the North Island city of Wanganui.

Chester Borrows, local member of parliament for the city of about 40,000 people, who sponsored the legislation, which was passed by 62 votes to 59, said it was designed to stop intimidation by rival gangs in violent confrontations in the streets.

"It is not an attempt to outlaw gangs, stop gang offending or bring about world peace," he said. "It is a narrowly focused instrument to stop intimidation by the display of gang insignia."

Gang members wearing their colours in public could be fined up to 2,000 New Zealand dollars (1,160 US dollars) under the new law. (dpa)