Reformed Gangster With 'Notorious' Face Tattoo Says It's Hard To Find A Job

The 31-year-old from New Zealand has also struggled with a meth addiction, but says he has been clean following his last incarceration.

"I was into meth before my last stint in jail," he told Hawkes Bay Today. "But I kicked the habit while in prison and I've been drug-free for the last four years."

The word "notorious", which appears on over half of his face in red and black ink, is in reference to the Mongrel Mob gang's slogan. It's also in the gang's colors.

"I know it will be hard to get a job with my tatts," Kireka said, gesturing to his facial decoration.

"I just went to school to eat lunch and play a bit of basketball at lunchtime," he said, adding that he made his first appearance in court at age 16.

But Kireka has said his last appearance was in the year 2016 and he hasn't been back since. Kireka is now dedicated to finding a career and turning his life around.

He said he hopes to encourage others who followed the same dark path he did to reform themselves too and pursue better lifestyles.

"A lot of them are still drinking and smoking. While they aren't getting into much trouble they are still ruining their lives with their lifestyle."

The father of three has turned his attention to one of his biggest passions in life: sports. He plans on breaking into the sporting industry.

Kireka has hopes of helping others achieve the same level of fitness he currently boasts after training with gym coach Levi Armstrong. This could be one career where his tattoos might not hold him back.

Kireka is due to start a level four Sport and Recreation course at EIT next month, after which point he will gain his diploma and then a degree before securing a job in the sports industry.

Even while he's on the field, Kireka said he still faces criticism from sports fans who don't appreciate his facial tattoo. However, he just brushes them off and continues to play the sport he loves.