Mongrel Mob

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Mongrel Mob is a New Zealand gang formed and organised in Hastings, New Zealand. The gang’s colours are predominantly red and sometimes white, and the gang’s distinctive patches are worn by members. The patches usually feature a Bulldog wearing a German Stahlhelm which supposedly represents the primal psyche associated with its members and is an image intended to offend. The patch is worn on the back of "patched members" – those considered loyal and trustworthy within the gang. Members are predominantly from New Zealand's Māori or pacific islander community. The gang currently operates in many cities within New Zealand , some of the most well known chapters include Mongrel Mob Notorious and Mongrel Mob Rogues.

[edit] History

It is believed the term "Mongrel Mob" originated from the comments of a District Court Judge in the Wairarapa in the late 1960s when he referred to a group of men before him as "nothing but a pack of mongrels". The name stuck and later similarly named groups sprang up around the country, forming their own independent chapters.

Today there is a network of more than thirty Mongrel Mob chapters throughout New Zealand.

The Mongrel Mob's main rivals are a gang called Black Power and there have been several very public and violent clashes between the two gangs over the years.

[edit] Mongrel Mob in the media

The Mongrel Mob featured in a Sky One documentary called Ross Kemp on Gangs in which British actor Ross Kemp, best known for his Eastenders "tough guy" role, interviewed several current and former prominent members of the gang. The documentary revealed many older members dissatisfaction with the fact that the Mob is now involved in drug dealing.

The Mongrel Mob were strong supporters of former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Robert Muldoon, and showed their respects at his 1992 state funeral.