True Red, the Life of an Ex-Mongrel Mob Gang Leader

Wearing the colour red, living by the 'law of lawlessness' and having the patch with the emblem of the mighty bulldog on your back was what ex-Mongrel Mob leader Tuhoe 'Bruno' Isaac called being True Red. "Because all levels of society hated us we created a new society of hatred symbolised by the bulldog. Its ferocious habits were engraved on our hearts," Tuhoe says, "If you weren't a mobster you weren't worth knowing." He lived this way for 17 years.

However, constantly living for the bash, beer, prison and the possibility of dying in a pool of blood eventually saw Tuhoe search for another way of doing life. Leaving the Mob was hard. Not only did he face the rejection of his own and the fierce judgemental prejudices of mainstream society, but with the awakening of his conscience came the realisation of a past filled with inflicting pain on others besides himself, and of a life devoid of any sense of love or hope. This led him down a path of confession, forgiveness and reconciliation.

True Red is the essential biography of one man's fascinating journey from the realm of darkness into the world of light.

Tuhoe 'Bruno' Isaac was president of three chapters of the Mongrel Mob in New Zealand at one point in time. His life gives others permission to believe that their life can be restored, no matter how bad things are. He now lives in Queenstown, New Zealand and is working on his second book.

Bradford Haami (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Kai Tahu, Tūwharetoa) is a trained journalist with a long history in television production. A researcher and lecturer in Māori oral and written history Brad has published many papers in this area and two books Golan Maaka: Maori Doctor and Love Stories: Mate Tau. Brad is currently working at Tauihu Media Ltd where he is involved in the development of feature film scripts. He continues to write, having recently completed a biography on Ngāti Haua kaumatua, Ike Samuels.