Police are sceptical about claims made by a Mongrel Mob member and his wife that the gang is focused on family, not crime.
The couple has told the Daily Post they are tired of young offenders being dubbed gang wannabes simply because they wear "colours" - red for Mongrel Mob
and blue for Black Power.
The couple told the Daily Post young people wore colours because they lacked identity, not because they were recruits. However, police say the Mongrel Mob are the biggest criminals in Rotorua and can expect to remain under close watch.
Rotorua police Inspector Steve Bullock said evidence showed young people wearing gang colours were being used by gangs to commit crimes throughout the region.
The Mongrel Mob was responsible for most of the criminal activity in the region, he said.
"They are a law unto themselves. The Mongrel Mob, in Rotorua especially, is responsible for the most crime and we will continue to focus our attention on them unless they live by the rules of society."
He said he made no excuse for police labelling and targeting youngsters, wearing gang colours, who are involved in criminal behaviour.
"Their colours identify them as gang prospects. We make no apology for doing this because our evidence shows the Mongrel Mob are active criminals," Mr Bullock said.
As for the gang focusing on family, he said he did not believe that was the case.
"It would be nice if this were so, but it isn't. These guys don't connect with anyone or anything. If they are rogues of no fixed abode it gives them a position of power or authority within the gang, which is contrary to being family and family values," he said.
"While I find it encouraging ... to read what this woman is saying, information we have received show this isn't the case," Mr Bullock said.
"Their very name says it all. The Oxford dictionary defines mongrel as a dog of no definable type or breed and mob as a disorderly crowd. So by name, they are an unruly gang who refuse to live by the law."
