Matiu Rota is used to being judged. With full facial tattoos and gang-like insignia, he's fully aware that some people find him intimidating.

However, look more closely at both the tattoos and the badges on his vest and you'll see that the gang Mr Rota aligns himself with is Christianity.

"My face will always be intimidating to people," he said. "But the thing is, God looks at the heart, and it's a challenge to others, especially to Christians, to stop judging people by what they look like on the outside."

Mr Rota is the founding member of Nelson-based Christian group the Peacemakers. He says it aims to reach out to others like himself, who might have gang backgrounds and have been in trouble with the law, and who want to live a Christian life but have not been able to do so via churches because they have been either judged or rejected by them.

"Basically, we are about building relationships and friendships with people, spending time with people. We are basically out where the churches aren't, dealing with people who've come from where we've come from.

"Christianity to us is not about going to a building."

Mr Rota said the group – which also has a chapter in Motueka and is looking to set up another in Christchurch – held regular prayer meetings and Bible study groups, and members kept in touch through holding regular barbecues and visiting each other.

It was about accepting others no matter what they looked like or had done, he said.

"We've all made mistakes, and we want to put that past behind us and be better people."

Mr Rota would not say how many members the group had, but said it was "growing all the time". He understood that members might falter along the way, but the group would be there for them.

He had discovered Jesus 20 years ago, but it hadn't been easy, and he had "a lot to be set free of".

"I've been back to jail a couple times – that was part of the process. I'm free now."

Mr Rota said he knew that some people might be sceptical of his group. "Everyone is always waiting to sling mud, no matter what you do."