Behind the Confiscation Line — Melanie Kerr on Growing Up Tūhoe-Side, Gangs & Getting Out

TV/radio fave Melanie Kerr returns with a raw origin story: growing up Pākehā on the Māori side of the 1860s confiscation line in Ruatoki/Tāneatua (Tūhoe country). We unpack what that line actually was, how colors mapped to gangs (Mongrel Mob red, Black Power blue), why the primary school uniforms ended up road-worker orange, and what it felt like to be a blonde farm kid in a staunch community. Mel leaves home at 14, heads to WA’s outback (cattle stations, gold mines), then lands in Dunedin—a world of bagpipes, churches, and culture whiplash. Plus: the anatomy of Crate Day and a very Kiwi idea for “upgrading” it with an Aussie pool challenge… right before it all goes sideways. Proper history, proper laughs, proper true yarn.#propertrueyarn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.📞 Get involved🎤 Send a voice message to the boys.Drop us a yarn or question and you might feature on the show.📧 Enquiries: [email protected]🌐 Website: linktr.ee/propertrueyarn📲 Follow the PodcastInstagram: @propertrueyarnTikTok: @propertrueyarnFacebook: Proper True Yarn PodcastYouTube: Proper True Yarn Podcast🤠 Meet the HostsKnuckles – Country Trucker CapsInstagram: @countrytruckercapsTikTok: @knucklesctcZak PalmasInstagram: @zpdigitalsTikTok: @zakpal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.