Man changes name to 13 Mongrel Mob Porirua

A patched Mongrel Mob member's ability to legally change his name has shocked a district court judge and collapsed a charge laid by police.

Joseph Hepri Robin, 56, who last year changed his name by statutory declaration to 13 Mongrel Mob Porirua, was charged on April 2 with providing false details.

After being pulled over on Jervois St, the heavily tattooed mobster failed a breath alcohol test and gave his name as 13 Mongrel Mob Porirua. Believing he wasn't telling the truth, police charged him with providing false details.

At Hastings District Court yesterday, Judge Ann Gaskell, too, expressed her disbelief.

"I'm amazed that [name] would be accepted," she said, before asking to see Porirua's new birth certificate. "Very sad," she said. The charge was then dropped.

During the rest of the hearing, Judge Gaskell continued to refer to Porirua as "Mr Robin".

On the drink-driving charge, of which Porirua had seven historic convictions, he was ordered to do 200 hours' community work and disqualified for one year.

National MP for Tukituki Craig Foss said he was surprised the name passed muster with Internal Affairs: "Yeah, probably I am, it's a bit of a mystery to me." He deemed the name offensive. "But then I find most things about gangs offensive."

He would speak to Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy today, he said.

The Department of Internal Affairs wasn't available for comment.