You are what you think
Whanau, Up-bringing.
I was born in Wairoa on the 9th October 1954 and named Patrick Tuhoe Isaac.
My family nicknamed me Bo, the name they know me by today. I was the eighth child of a whanau of thirteen brothers and sisters. My father, Jim Hohipera Isaac (Hondi), was from Tuia on Lake Waikaremoana, while my mother, Nga Huia Isaac (nee Hema), was from Rangiahua, a small community southwest of Wairoa. Tribally, my parents were a mixture of the many hapu (sub-tribes) that make up the Ngai Tuhoe and Ngati Kahungungu tribes of those regions.
Gang Life.
In Easter 1973 I left Sydney Australia to fly back to my home country New Zealand. Wellington was where I decided to join the Mongrel Mob. At that time I felt totally disconnected to my family and friends. The Mob at the time became whanau to me, I found myself totally at home with the brotherhood. Rooting, rumbling and rages met all my needs as a lonely, lost little Maori boy that I was.
Things happened so quickly, fighting, brawling amongst ourselves and other gangs became our diet for life. At that time, I was living with my older brother and his missus, but I felt suffocated living under his roof so I decided to move on. Court cases were going to be part of my lifestyle, not realizing it at the time, I would be in and out of court for brawling, car thefts and petty crimes. Later on, serious crimes were going to be following me, sending me to prison for years. Hospital visits would be regular because I kept catching VD or I had ended up in a rumble! I once had a one on one (brawl) which lacerated my whole right arm I still carry the scars today. We were never short of anything, women were on tap, booze and the comradery of the brothers. At that time, I worked as a builder's labourer and ripped of the ACC.
I eventually left Wellington to travel up to Palmerston North and joined up with the Manawatu Mongrel Mob. By then my reputation had started to grow, as a staunch brawler and taking no shit from anyone not even the Pigs.
Our number one enemy in that town was the local bikie gang. We would rumble in the town square, taunting each other, sometimes there would be a truce. Eventually I ended up in Taumarunui, King Country Mongrel Mob with another Pakeha brother called, “The Gypsy”, again I proved myself as loyal to the colours of the gang.
The year I arrived in Taumarunui was 1975 Christmas. I loved these brothers straight away and the chapter had just started up. Our Prez at the time Porky took a carload of us to Porirua, to get their blessings for our chapter. We ended up stepping out the Top Tavern Pub and won by default cos nobody wanted to rumble. We went back down to the bottom Tavern and Our Sergeant of Arms had a one on one (brawl) with the local chapter. After getting their blessings we were on the road back to our chapter in Taumaranui.
Things were going to heat up, now we were in total control of our turf. We let the local bike gang know that straight away, by blocking one of their women. Finally, a whole lot of us were arrested for crimes, ranging from unlawful assembly outside the local Police Station, offensive weapons and rape.
Tuhoe Isaac - President Taumaranui, New-Zealand
Prison Life Cemented Our Brotherhood.
‘United We Stand Divided We Fall’ was our motto in prison. Our first President inside was our brother “Kinch”, ex-army. He lead us, encouraged us and brought all the different chapters together. He was from my home town Wairoa. Seig Heil brother.
This togetherness started up in the Maximum security prison back in the early eighties, by then the Mobs numbers were increasing so we used it to our advantage. I spent years in prison, in and out all the time, it was going to be a pattern for me, unless a miracle was going to happen in my life, otherwise it was going to be an early exit to my grave.
Taking The Rap.
For me it was going to make me or break me. Taking the rap for the Mob was a code of honour. I got locked up back in 1983 and at the time our first Pres had just passed away. ‘Seig heil Porky’ R.I.P. brother. During this time of incarceration, I had a lot of time to think about my life in the Mob, I reflected on a better future for my life and the Mob.
Beating The Rap.
Becoming the Top Dog, King Country Mongrel Mob, running three towns and another chapter up in Auckland. Being involved with government work contracts took on a whole new challenge for the Mob and myself. During this time of reign, a National Convention was held in Auckland, Mangere to spearhead all the chapters together, which failed miserably.
True Red.
In 1989 I became True Red Redemption and received Jesus into my life.
John 3v16, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV)
Romans 10v9, That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (NKJV)
John 8v32, Which my ministry is founded on says and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. (NKJV)
Heart Beat Now.
Now I've been serving our Lord Jesus Christ for 30 years and my latest ministry was to Fiji, visiting the Prisons in Suva and next year I have been given the opportunity to visit the prisons in Solomon Islands, then Papua New Guinea. Otherwise I minister in lovely Queenstown.
Tuhoe.
To learn more about my book, True Red, read my blogs or to connect with me, visit truered.co.nz
