Photo: TVNZ
The world of backyard fight clubs is a controversial one. and when TVNZ in depth journalist Indira Stewart began investigating them in Auckland and Northland, she wasn't sure what she'd find.
Dangerous unregulated thuggery dressed up as sport? Or a place where fighters can come together in a controlled setting, with official referees and health and safety checks?
What she found is a large community of participants - many of them gang member with criminal convictions - who say the fight clubs are bringing rival gang members together, easing inter-gang tensions, and creating positive change.
She's made a two part series for TVNZ + called Backyard Gang Wars - part 2 is due to be released on Saturday.
Indira was named Reporter of the Year at the New Zealand Screen Awards last week.
She joins Kathryn along with one of the people featured in the series - Jon Paul "Fight Dog" Te Rito - known as JP.
