Tuhoe Isaac was born in Wairoa in 1954, the eighth of thirteen children to parents of Ngai Tuhoe and Ngati Kahungunu descent. Tuhoe’s life was forever changed after being sexually abused. By 16 he was in Sydney’s Paramatta Prison, then he returned to New Zealand and prospected for the Mongrel Mob’s Wellington Chapter. Rising quickly through the ranks, he became a co-founder of several chapters and eventually chairman of four chapters simultaneously (Auckland, Rogues, Notorious, and King Country).

Debauchery, depravity and violence bound the boys together and they lived and died under the colour red. Tuhoe was rebellious and impossible to control even by Mob standards. Always hoping for something better he set up a trust working with government agencies to set up work schemes and access programmes for gang members who wanted a better life. But only after a divine intervention by God in 1989 did Tuhoe find the strength he needed for true change. Tuhoe published his memoir, True Red, in 2007 and Tuhoe’s life shows us there is hope for all, no matter how bad things get.

Time will be made to ask questions and talk with Tuhoe during the evening.

Grab a mate and come along. If you’d like to know more, contact Mitch.