Mongrel Mob Team?

The Mongrel Mob is an organized street and prison gang, the largest in New Zealand with tentacles extended to Australia and Canada.

And yours truly sat on the periphery of a large group crossing the Cook Strait.  Because motion sickness is my thing, especially in boat, I located a seat near the middle when the front window wasn’t working.

There were approximately ten men, two women and one 8 year old girl all dressed in matching red and black clothing labeled, ‘Fawl Behaviour.’  They were covered with tattoos, several men, top to bottom.  I thought maybe a rugby team?

I dozed on and off listening their mixture of Māori and English punctuated by constant profanity.  (If you know me, I also express myself with expletives, but this beat even my ratio.)

One man laughed like a deceased colleague, Tim Deckert, which was strangely comforting.

It wasn’t until the ferry came to port that several members dawned on their motorcycle gear with insignia, that other passengers really avoided them.  I sat and watched.

I wish I had the guts to ask for a photo.

Apparently our current Airbnb host, Ian, a photographer knows another photographer that did a photo journal of this group, with great controversy. (Look up Jono Rotman: Mongrel Mob Portraits)

I’ve missed two days of posting.  Day one was free day in Nelson.  We explored a historical park, then joined our new friends for drinks.

Day two was a treacherous bus ride, rocky ferry crossing and quick Uber to our new city, Wellington.

‘Windy Wellington,’ is our home the next three days.  Reminds me of a small and fun New York City.