“Capturing Reality: Insights from a Photographer Documenting the Mongrel Mob’s Role in Society”

Several images captured by Davide Conti in his series ‘The Patch’ depict gang members in moments of unguarded casualness.
Photo: Davide Conti

• Davide Conti, a photographer and physician of Sicilian origin, was invited to photograph Mongrel Mob members after capturing images of participants in a kickboxing competition in Hawke’s Bay.
• He expresses that his Italian background offered him sufficient distance from Aotearoa’s colonial history, allowing him to be viewed as an impartial observer.
• Despite feeling secure, Conti mentioned that having Holocaust survivors in his family’s lineage made it challenging for him to accept the gang’s use of Nazi-related terms and symbols.
• He aspires for the images to ignite dialogue regarding the social and cultural foundations of gangs in Aotearoa.

A photographer based in Hawke’s Bay credits the discovery of a training space for initiating a series of events that led him to portray Mongrel Mob members both relaxed and assertive within their own territory.

Davide Conti’s photo series The Patch captures gang members in intentional displays of solidarity as well as moments of effortless casualness.

The photos vary from members engaging in combat in the ring or posing alongside their families to proudly showcasing their now-banned patches and symbols.

This physician and photographer was approached by gang members while documenting fighters in a kickboxing tournament just under a year ago.

“At first, I felt quite uncomfortable and apprehensive – as I hail from Sicily, I understand that the last thing I desire is to take photos if they are not inclined to have them taken – so I opted to take really close-ups of the fighters competing. Ultimately, I was approached by them, and they were eager for the images. They requested me to take their photos, and I showed them my photography page on Facebook. After that, the atmosphere and my feelings shifted entirely,” said Conti.

Conti allowed those he photographed to share the images, which led to discussions with the partner and daughter of two local gang members who were striving to create employment opportunities for some of their extended family.

Conti was approached by gang members during his shoot at a kickboxing event.
Photo: Davide Conti

Shortly after, he received an invitation to photograph members of the gang in two of their local clubhouses.

Conti shared that growing up in Italy provided him enough distance from Aotearoa’s colonial legacy, allowing him to be perceived as neutral.

However, upon entering the clubhouses, he had to reconcile with his culture’s aversion to Nazi symbolism that prominently adorned the walls and bodies of those he was photographing.

“There are many patches, their own symbols, and flags. This imagery is prevalent throughout their headquarters. They employ phrases some of which are derived from or linked to Nazi movements, along with a plethora of symbolism – which I’ve personally found quite unsettling due to my family history. My family includes Holocaust victims from Italy, making it difficult for me not to internalize these associations,” Conti commented.

Certain photos portray gang members exhibiting displays of unified strength.
Photo: Davide Conti

Conti had resided in New Zealand for over a decade before relocating to Hawke’s Bay three years ago to serve as a physician at Hastings Hospital.

He expressed being taken aback by the notable presence of gang members and their families within the locality.

“I believed I had a basic understanding of gangs, but upon arriving in Hawke’s Bay, I found myself amidst a starkly different culture. At the supermarket, one may encounter an individual sporting patches, and sometimes, it’s clear they are affiliated without specifically wearing a patch because of their tattoos visible on exposed skin, making it quite striking here.

“It’s common to see individuals wearing something red—be it a hat, hoodie, or shoes. While they may not be patched members, they nonetheless display a subtle allegiance to the Mongrel Mob. This initiated my curiosity to delve deeper into their significance within the community – realizing they are an integral and not merely a criminal aspect of the local society,” Conti elaborated.

Gang members invited Conti to take their photographs after observing his work at a kickboxing event.
Photo: Davide Conti

Conti expressed his desire for the project to inspire discussions regarding gangs that diverge from prevailing stereotypes.

in the press, particularly considering the latest prohibition on displaying gang emblems in public areas.

“My worry is that I don’t believe this regulation will truly tackle the underlying issues concerning the gangs and the insignia. I’m not trying to discount that there are indeed serious criminal matters linked to the patch. However, for me, it’s not solely about that. There are deeper cultural and societal origins of the patch that transcend the purely criminal aspect,” Conti stated.

The initiative seeks to foster conversations about gangs that differ from their typical depiction in the media, Conti mentioned.
Photo: Davide Conti

Conti noted that responses to his sharing of initial photos of the gang on social platforms had been varied.

“Some individuals were very supportive, while others were quite opposed to what I was doing. A frequent rationale was that they believed I was giving gangs exposure, or that the popularity of those posts could negatively influence young individuals.

“I recognize their perspectives and empathize with them [but] my stance is also that gangs are a segment of the society – perhaps a challenging aspect of our community – but it’s an undeniable truth. Ignoring the issue or pretending they do not exist will not resolve the problem. For me, it’s about confronting it. Understanding what the causes are? What is the history?. [That’s what] will assist us in figuring out how to improve the situation.”

Conti expressed his apprehension that the legislation prohibiting gang patches in public venues may not tackle the genuine issues associated with gangs and their symbols.
Photo: Davide Conti