A man has been formally warned by police after pointing a laser at an Eagle helicopter sent to monitor a huge gathering of Mongrel Mob Notorious members who are farewelling the national head of the gang.

More than 1000 gang members arrived in Waipawa in Central Hawke’s Bay over King’s Birthday weekend for the funeral of Sonny Smith. The tangi is expected to culminate today with a funeral procession and burial.

The Herald understands Smith will be interred in a purpose-built mausoleum at Te Tapairu Marae, along with his treasured Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Police are keeping a close eye on those attending today's tangi in Hawke's Bay. Photo / Warren Buckland 

A large Mongrel Mob procession in Central Hawke's Bay as part of the Notorious chapter's national leader Sonny Smith's tangi. Photo / NZME 

As of yesterday there had been no incidents among the mourners but police had deployed extra resources including the Eagle helicopter from Monday afternoon.

Last night a person had “briefly” pointed a laser at the helicopter, police confirmed.

The incident happened around 8.50pm on Monday night, with the laser being pointed by a person on Frederick St in Hastings.

A Hastings man has been formally warned after pointing a laser at the Police Eagle helicopter. 

“Eagle’s onboard technology was able to clearly capture the person in the act, and instantly identified the address,” police said. 

“Eagle then monitored the person until ground units arrived. 

“Officers spoke to the person and issued him with a formal warning.” 

Police said lasering any aircraft in flight was “extremely dangerous” and put lives at risk. Police investigated every single lasering incident and would not hesitate to lay charges where appropriate. 

Police did not specify if the person involved in the laser incident had any relationship with the Mongrel Mob. 

A member of the public on Waipawa’s main street this morning said he’d been impressed by both police and gang members in town for today’s tangi. 

Police are keeping a close eye on those attending today's tangi. Photo / Warren Buckland 

He said Mongrel Mob members had been coming in “in large numbers”, but had been very quiet, polite and respectful. 

The man praised the efforts of police who “have been doing what they said they were going to do”. 

”They’ve been all over the place. All night and all day, they’ve been non-bloody-stop. It’s been good to see, they’ve actually been very proactive. 

”They’ve been checking for alcohol, people driving with alcohol, checking all the vehicles. Checkpoints set up and very visible.” 

A police spokesperson this morning said there had been no issues surrounding the tangi and the behaviour of those attending up to this point.