Boot Hill

Formed in 1967, the same year that the controversial 1967 Maori Affairs Amendment Act was passed. The membership of the Boot Hill gang ranged from 30 - 90 strong. The majority of the members lived on the hill above the Orakei Reserve in Auckland. It is interesting to note that in 1952, the Government confiscated the land on which the Orakei Marae stood and also acres of land that had been surrounding the marae. It was confiscated under the Public Works Act, 'to be used as a public reserve', but only a few acres were used as a public reserve while the remaining acreage was subdivided and sold in ½ acre sections for multiple the amount that was reimbursed to the Maori owners. The Maoris were naturally upset over the loss of their marae and took an anti-pakeha attitude which would have influenced their children to take the same attitude. The members of the Boot Hill were brought up with a 'hate the pakeha' complex, which in turn led to the forming of a gang and taking also a 'hate society' complex. The Boot Hill gang were the most notorious gang in Auckland. What of them today? The Boot Hill gang have disbanded, to the relief of most of the residents of Auckland. They disbanded early in 1970. The Boot Hill gang wore no set uniform.