The Girl Born Into New Zealand Gang Life: Tove's Story

The Girl Born Into New Zealand Gang Life: Tove's Story

June 28, 2026 · 57 min · Season 4 · Episode 38

About this episode

Tove shares her harrowing experience of growing up in gang life in New Zealand and her journey towards recovery in Australia.

Join our Patreon: ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/SoberlySpeaking⁠ What happens when the life you were born into is the very thing trying to destroy you? Tove never chose gang life. She was born into it. Raised around gangs, addiction and violence, some of Tove’s earliest memories were pumping her stepmother’s stomach after overdoses. As she got older, gang members became her friends, then her partners and addiction became the only constant in a life defined by chaos. After a violent multi-gang shootout at her house and fearing for her safety, Tove fled New Zealand with nothing but a carry-on bag, leaving behind everything she’d ever known. Now living in Australia and 18 months sober, she’s rebuilding her life while facing the uncertainty of possible deportation and unresolved legal matters. In this exclusive interview, Tove speaks publicly for the very first time about growing up in gang life, generational trauma and whether escape is even possible when everything is stacked against you. Follow Tove on Instagram: @tove_uhh Disclaimer: The stories and experiences shared in this episode are personal accounts told in good faith. While we strive to present these narratives accurately, the…

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