PAYNE, Bill. Staunch: Inside the Gangs.

(Birkenhead, Auckland): Reed Books, 1991. First edition. Quarto. 151 pages. Superb copy of New Zealand’s most stolen library book. Over a period of many months Payne ventured into the bars, houses and headquarters of most New Zealand gangs, including Black Power, the Mongrel Mob, Nomads, Skinheads, and King Cobras to produce a pioneering account of gang membership. The volume also includes sections on the police, prison officers, gang women and prospects as well as raw interviews with some gang members. Illustrated throughout with photographs by Peter Quinn. A very good copy in glossy wrappers, (no hardcover edition).