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Gripping Photos of New Zealand’s Largest Gang Will Make You Tremble
New Zealand is a country known more for its picturesque Lord Of The Rings settings than for its gang activity, but it is this unknown dark side that photographer Jono Rotman explores in his powerful series of mob portraits. He managed to get members of New Zealand’s infamous Mighty Mongrel Mob, the largest in the nation, to sit down for stunning portraits that give us a look at a world alien to most of us.
When telling Vice how he had gained access to the mob, Rotman explained, “I told them I wanted to take martial portraits. And you know, regardless of where the Mob are viewed in the social hierarchy, these men have committed to a creed and fought battles, sometimes to the death.”
More info: jonorotman.com (h/t: vice, demilked)
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“These men have committed to a creed and fought battles, sometimes to the death”
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What do you think ?
Arjan 10 years ago
Why would this make me tremble? Just because they have facial tattoos? They look like any other biker gang around the world.
BethanyKatona 10 years ago
The only thing scary is that they all fancy themselves to mullets. Stylist's nightmare..
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FionaTeHoro 10 years ago
This work is pathetic. The photographer is an idiot. These guys aren't Maori warriors, they are violent criminals, drug dealers, murderers and rapists, they beat their partners and children. I know someone bringing up a child that was created by a gang rape from this gang. The child was given away at birth. You know what would be interesting? Photographs of their victims, but they are too afraid to be photographed because they would be victimised, beaten, raped and bashed some more, their families terrorized and their house and belongings burnt and stolen. These people are monsters, they have no mana, nothing. They are not representative of what it is the be Maori. Disgusting lack of understanding, there's no heroes here mate - bet the photographer's making lots of money out of this though, eh.
RobinHall 10 years ago
very well put and well said Fiona, i am a kiwi in the australian army and have been doing the rounds of the middle east, lots of combat atrocities, these guys remind me of isis/isil, same depraved mentally unbalanced violence and to all those gragging about tough american gangs, you have no idea just how violent and evil these people are.
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DiegoBelli 10 years ago
of all men saying they dont tremble , coz they think about themselves though, just dont realize that a guy like the second img really exists, and in person, he would make pee come out of ur weewee if u face him...
captaingrumpy 9 years ago
Never happen , we live in different worlds and I would not want to enter his.
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DavidFoltz 10 years ago
Um they are not Hispanic Dimitri. But it is pretty stupid for them to be wearing an SS symbol because they would have probably been killed by the SS
CatherinePrickett 10 years ago
I was just thinking that. "Why are people who look Maori wearing Nazi symbols?"
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JayDavies 10 years ago
I'm a little puzzled by a black man sporting a swastika but I'm guessing he's not a big reader
KråsterJack 10 years ago
real maori warriors earn their mokos through courage and bravery. these wankers use fear and intimidation to get there own way no matter the consequences to other people. that first judge was right. these people are bloody mongrels.
DonnaKoenig 10 years ago
Makes for very interesting portaits, but it is always very sad when I'm reminded we will never escape our murderous & violent primeval origins. No matter what advancements we make, there will always be many who will value that part or nature with pride & see it as a worthy, high accomplishment whether is is waring tribes or nations.
DavidMacadam 10 years ago
Hmm maybe they dont value that part of Nature with pride & see it as worthy... at all. Maybe they have no where else to turn except to a life of crime and maybe they just dont care what society thinks at all. maybe they dont value anything.
Load More Replies... Aarin 10 years ago
In my job, I work with gang members every day and something I never get use to is their absolute hate for someone who simply isn't their race. It's not the tattoos, size or even what they've been locked up for, but their level of hate that scares me.
DebMartinKnaff 10 years ago
You are right. You can dress up a poodle and make it look mean and scarey. Its the level of hatred in the heart. I fear them because of the hatred and in seeing the one picture of the kids, it is clear the next generation will be every bit as hateful and violent.
Load More Replies...
DerekEvans 10 years ago
Considering that means that they eat people, it's a little scary
Load More Replies... Arjan 10 years ago
Why would this make me tremble? Just because they have facial tattoos? They look like any other biker gang around the world.
BethanyKatona 10 years ago
The only thing scary is that they all fancy themselves to mullets. Stylist's nightmare..
Load More Replies... FionaTeHoro 10 years ago
This work is pathetic. The photographer is an idiot. These guys aren't Maori warriors, they are violent criminals, drug dealers, murderers and rapists, they beat their partners and children. I know someone bringing up a child that was created by a gang rape from this gang. The child was given away at birth. You know what would be interesting? Photographs of their victims, but they are too afraid to be photographed because they would be victimised, beaten, raped and bashed some more, their families terrorized and their house and belongings burnt and stolen. These people are monsters, they have no mana, nothing. They are not representative of what it is the be Maori. Disgusting lack of understanding, there's no heroes here mate - bet the photographer's making lots of money out of this though, eh.
RobinHall 10 years ago
very well put and well said Fiona, i am a kiwi in the australian army and have been doing the rounds of the middle east, lots of combat atrocities, these guys remind me of isis/isil, same depraved mentally unbalanced violence and to all those gragging about tough american gangs, you have no idea just how violent and evil these people are.
Load More Replies... DiegoBelli 10 years ago
of all men saying they dont tremble , coz they think about themselves though, just dont realize that a guy like the second img really exists, and in person, he would make pee come out of ur weewee if u face him...
captaingrumpy 9 years ago
Never happen , we live in different worlds and I would not want to enter his.
Load More Replies... DavidFoltz 10 years ago
Um they are not Hispanic Dimitri. But it is pretty stupid for them to be wearing an SS symbol because they would have probably been killed by the SS
CatherinePrickett 10 years ago
I was just thinking that. "Why are people who look Maori wearing Nazi symbols?"
Load More Replies... JayDavies 10 years ago
I'm a little puzzled by a black man sporting a swastika but I'm guessing he's not a big reader
KråsterJack 10 years ago
real maori warriors earn their mokos through courage and bravery. these wankers use fear and intimidation to get there own way no matter the consequences to other people. that first judge was right. these people are bloody mongrels.
DonnaKoenig 10 years ago
Makes for very interesting portaits, but it is always very sad when I'm reminded we will never escape our murderous & violent primeval origins. No matter what advancements we make, there will always be many who will value that part or nature with pride & see it as a worthy, high accomplishment whether is is waring tribes or nations.
DavidMacadam 10 years ago
Hmm maybe they dont value that part of Nature with pride & see it as worthy... at all. Maybe they have no where else to turn except to a life of crime and maybe they just dont care what society thinks at all. maybe they dont value anything.
Load More Replies... Aarin 10 years ago
In my job, I work with gang members every day and something I never get use to is their absolute hate for someone who simply isn't their race. It's not the tattoos, size or even what they've been locked up for, but their level of hate that scares me.
DebMartinKnaff 10 years ago
You are right. You can dress up a poodle and make it look mean and scarey. Its the level of hatred in the heart. I fear them because of the hatred and in seeing the one picture of the kids, it is clear the next generation will be every bit as hateful and violent.
Load More Replies... DerekEvans 10 years ago
Considering that means that they eat people, it's a little scary
Load More Replies...
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