Gang members from around the country are expected to descend upon Auckland for a tangi.

William 'Bird' Hines' farewell is expected to be the largest gang funeral in New Zealand history.

He had years of poor health from type two diabetes and was released from prison on compassionate grounds.

The Herald's Jared Savage says he had a ferocious reputation and younger gang members looked up to him.

"He did a lot of very bad things, he had a very staunch obsession with violence and kidnapping- those sort of violent stand overs. He was pretty much the first meth trial in New Zealand's history back in 2000."

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