The Local Government Minister is pulling no punches about gang members wearing patches in Hawke's Bay Regional Council's chambers, which is illegal.

The Council yesterday voted unanimously to keep its Māori Wards - but photos posted on Facebook afterwards included patched gang members celebrating.

They've since been taken down

The Council has replied it acknowledges people's concerns, but it doesn't have the authority to exclude members of the public.

Simeon Brown says that's an excuse.

He says the reality is it was an important vote and those patched gang members should not have been present.

LISTEN ABOVE