Lawyers for three women linked to the Mongrel Mob say the Lower Hutt suburb they are facing eviction from is a tight-knit place where they feel they can stand and be heard.
Closing arguments are being heard on Tuesday in the Human Rights Review Tribunal case of Robyn Winther, Huia Tamaka and Billy Taylor.
The women argue that Housing New Zealand is illegally trying to remove them from their state homes in Farmer Crescent, Pomare, because of trouble caused by gang members they have children or relationships with.
One of the women's lawyers, Mark Lillico, says Farmer Crescent is a place where everybody knows each other and children flow between houses.
Mr Lillico says the women consider the Pomare suburb as turangawaewae, or an area where they feel a strong sense of belonging, because of ties to the local school, community house and medical centre.
Housing New Zealand is yet to begin its closing submissions.
