Kingdom

In prison, a Mongrel Mob president has an epiphany; he must redefine gang culture.

We need your support to tell this powerful story on Loading Docs’ award-winning short documentary platform.

THE FILM

With a new calling to transform gang life, Sonny Fatupaito found a gun pointed at his head. Why did the Mongrel Mob leader put his life on the line to change gang culture and create a new Kingdom?

The Mongrel Mob's fearsome reputation is notorious. It's the longest active criminal gang in New Zealand with many chapters across Aotearoa. Welcome inside the new Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom chapter’s walls and meet its leader trying to change it all. Kingdom will explore Sonny Fatupaito's crucial turning points and why members seek to find family, home and meaning in gang life.

“The base of the Mongrel Mob Kingdom is all about breaking the cycle, stop feeding the system. It's easier to build strong children than it is to fix broken men." - Sonny Fatupaito

THE TEAM

Director Corinna Hunziker (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu) saw success in her directorial debut in 2019 for her Loading Docs short Mana Wahine. This documentary took the audience behind the picket lines of Ihumātao, regarded as the most disputed indigenous land occupation in modern history. 

Through Mana Wahine, Corinna has proven to be a documentarian and storyteller on the rise. She is looking to take things up a notch with Kingdom by combining intimate interviewing with dramatic and stylised reconstructions.

Corinna is joined by producer Te Anga Nathan (Te Aupouri, Ngāti Porou and Waikato), known for his extensive work in Māori journalism bringing 30 years of experience to the project and fellow Loading Docs alumni producer Justin Scott (Ngāpuhi), who currently directs the Attitude documentary series. The team share a strong passion for authentic storytelling grounded in Māori values and committed to amplifying indigenous and marginalised voices. 

THE TARGET

As part of the Loading Docs initiative, we need to raise a minimum of $3,500 through Boosted. Your generous koha will help us elevate the traditional documentary style to the next level.

Once we reach our minimum target, it will unlock additional funding from Loading Docs. But, this is an all or nothing campaign. If we don’t reach our target, we get nothing! 

This is an ambitious project as we are looking to elevate the film with dramatic reenactments with professional actors as well as lighting, wardrobe and art department. To achieve this, we are looking to raise much more than the minimum target. That’s why we need your help. 

Loading Docs is an award-winning short documentary initiative to develop New Zealand filmmaking talent. Loading Docs is funded by NZ On Air with support from NZFC and Te Māngai Pāho.

Thank you for your support. 

Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu.

Corinna Hunziker, Justin Scott and Te Anga Nathan.