That some of the crimes and social ills many blame them for can't be packaged into simple categories like "bad life choices".
What happens, then, when that more nuanced, and I'd argue fairer, view pushes into areas other than criminal justice?
Enter Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom.
In 2019, the Hamilton-based gang decided to take a more-targeted approach to its public image. Lou Hutchinson became its official publicist and, with her assistance, it began highlighting work and programmes it did around a range of issues, including anti-violence, healthy relationships and parenting. They wanted to show everyone things were moving in a better direction inside the organisation.
When I saw Hutchinson talk about her then-new role and the Waikato Mongrel Mob, my first thoughts were, "Well, this is out the gate."
Questions included: "Why in the world would the Waikato Mongrel Mob need a PR person?" and "Who would take that job on?"
Like the gang scene itself, the answers are layered and connected to wider issues in communities.
Relevant this week is how they played out in regards to news the Human Rights Commission gave koha to the Waikato Mongrel Mob at an event and pōwhiri in May.
To be clear, Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt was among a range of speakers, including Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson, who attended in her capacity as Minister for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence. The day covered a range of social and human rights issues relevant to gang members and their families.
I'd like to say I instantly supported the move by the Human Rights Commission to attend in May, and follow protocol. After all, rights and due process are universal and precious to everyone – regardless of gang membership.
Honouring protocols of the location you're in also comes with the territory. Plus, Waikato Mongrel Mob has outlined repeatedly how it's changing things and the challenges that come with that.
Here, it's about getting past my own attitudes towards gangs. The key question being: Even with that background, why does it still not sit well that koha is being exchanged with the Waikato Mongrel Mob?
It's a question I ultimately went back to those at its centre to help answer.
First, Hutchinson outlined the purpose of having the Human Rights Commission at the Waikato Mongrel Mob May meeting.
"Many of them [gang members and their families], because they've had certain upbringings, they're treated differently, like second-class citizens," she said.
"But they need to know what ... they're entitled to, and that they're not a second-class citizen and that they're entitled to the same as any other New Zealander.
"That day, it was how it traditionally is – it's a pōwhiri. Like any other event we have, it's formal, because that's tikanga.
"It's not about whether people want to align it with the gang – it's just what it is.
"We welcomed our guests, which included Marama Davidson and the Polynesian Panthers, and anyone else that's never been into our whare. And it's good for our members to see that – it might not be a traditional marae, but this is their whare and we welcome guests just like anyone else," Hutchinson said.
Hunt also touched on the importance of the Human Rights Commission engaging with the Waikato Mongrel Mob.
"I attended the hui to speak, listen and discuss the experiences raised by the Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom, acknowledging that these experiences are part of a wider conversation about the importance of social inclusion and belonging in Aotearoa," Hunt said.
"The provision of koha is entirely culturally appropriate. To not offer koha at that pōwhiri would have been extremely disrespectful.
"This is normal practice at all pōwhiri."
As Hunt and Hutchinson have pointed out, respectful engagement between their organisations is one way of addressing some of the societal disconnects that keep gang members at society's margins.
Understanding how pōwhiri and koha work is simply part of that process.
