Members of illegal Auckland dirt bike crews at the centre of several major police operations have revealed they're gang affiliated.
Police believe the movement - known globally as Bikelife - could form part of the Killer Beez recruitment strategy, with the gang supplying bikes to young riders.
Paddy Gower Has Issues' latest investigation has infiltrated the outlawed subculture causing chaos on Auckland's roads. High-profile riders have fronted for in-depth interviews for the first time.
A rider known as 'Treyway' revealed he is the son of senior Killer Beez gang member 'Speedy Guns'.
"I'm not a gang member, but I am gang affiliated... with the Killer Beez," Treyway said.
But Bikelife is "a lifestyle" rather than a gang, he added.
"It's something most of us live and die for. You know, it's like it's not gang affiliated - it's not really gang-related," Treyway said.
"All gang members just come in and ride together - ride as one."
Treyway told Paddy Gower Has Issues he started riding as a 13-year-old when his father was released from prison and bought him his first bike.
"I was basically forced to ride. I love bikes [and] my dad said, 'Get on the bike, ride the bike,'" he said.
"Like, he would force me to ride it.
"I ended up riding and then he forced me to wheelie. He pushed me to do all the tricks I do now."
But Counties Manukau East relieving area commander Rakana Cook revealed riders aged 10 and under are now caught up in Bikelife.
"It's a sad... connection, obviously, when we start seeing that. And again, it's that influence that will come through from the older riders, but it's what they see," Cook said.
"That's what they are accustomed to and, like I said, it's around that lifestyle that they believe so heavily in but we just want to make sure that they get the right education and sense of what to do on our roads."
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During the latest police offensive - a King's Birthday weekend sting as part of 'Operation Metallic Red' - officers cornered dozens of riders at Ngati Otara Park.
"Historically, with these large rides, they really intimidate the public and we've had a number of incidents where members of the public have been assaulted seriously," Insp Kerry Watson said at the time.
"Whilst this was a planned operation it kind of got out of hand due to the behaviour of these motorcyclists so we're here to put a stop to it."
PGHI spoke to another rider, known as Wynder, who was caught up in the operation at Ngati Otara Park.
He claimed he would be out committing other crimes if it wasn't for Bikelife.
"[It] keeps my mind off a lot of bad shit in life - something positive in my life," Wynder said.
He is highly influential within New Zealand's budding Bikelife scene. PGHI also met up with riders in Waitara, who referred to Wynder as one of the country's best riders.
The small Taranaki town is experiencing its own Bikelife boom of sorts, much to the disapproval of local police and residents.
Sgt Kane Moses told PGHI riders in the town were creating "potential for disaster" by driving dangerously, adding police are receiving more calls than ever.
"[The] volume's definitely increased," he said. "More than several [calls] a week easily."
But Dontei Healey, a member of Waitara's Bikelife crew, said the riders are not going anywhere.
"If it wasn't for Otara, that's probably where it originated for Bikelife. And if it wasn't for them, then we probably wouldn't be here," he said.
"Shout out to Wynder."
Patrick Gower is the host of Paddy Gower Has Issues on Three and ThreeNow.
