Patched : The History of Gangs in New Zealand

From ‘bikie’ gangs to skinheads, the Mongrel Mob to Black Power, gangs have had a massive impact on our society. Based on intensive research within gangs, Patched is the first major history of gang life in New Zealand. Jarrod Gilbert traces the story from the early bodgies and widgies, the rise of the Hell’s Angels and other bikie gangs, the growth of the Mongrel Mob and Black Power in the 1970s and shifts towards organised crime over the past ten years. Throughout, Gilbert brings us the gang members, police and politicians in their own gritty and gripping words. Violent and sometimes horrifying, this book explores a tough but revealing facet of New Zealand life.

Jarrod Gilbert spent ten years with New Zealand gangs researching this book. He received a University of Canterbury Doctoral Scholarship and a C. Wright Mills Award, earning his PhD in 2010. Gilbert lectures at the University of Canterbury and is frequently sought by the media to comment on gangs.