A former senior member of the Christchurch Head Hunters has left the gang since being involved in a methamphetamine dealing operation within the organisation, the High Court heard on Monday. He details their diligence, intelligence, and courage with which they conduct their operations. The previous day, Inspector Jacqui Whittaker had warned that a large number of riders were expected to be travelling across Auckland "throughout the day". To some, the 53-year-old was an icon, a mentor, a friend, a brother. And are they, like me, left wondering whether New Zealand Auckland especially is genuinely unsafe? Those who know him say all are true. Just like he said." A short man, tattooed head to toe, bounced up and down and barked at me from behind a sally port door. He died in police custody overnight on Saturday in Auckland. We are unable to see the person behind the mask. People featured here are sought by Police for arrest. The East chapter was established by the gang's president, Wayne Doyle, in 2002 when he completed his prison sentence for the murder of a rival gang member in a brawl. Attribute to Detective Inspector Kevin McNaughton, NZ Police: A Police operation focusing on an ongoing series of incidents involving individuals from the Mongols and Head Hunters gangs has recently concluded, with a total of 19 people facing charges before the courts. They are especially active in the King Country, Kawerau, ptiki . "Any unsafe, intimidating, or dangerous behaviour throughout the event/s will be followed up by police and appropriate action taken.". This is an extensive, investigative report, built around 12 cases of the criminal behaviour that put meth on our streets. [16][7] It was later released on DVD by ADNA Films and Lionsgate on May 7, 2019. Reburying his daughter the next morning, the Father returns home. [21] It grossed a total of $44,652 in domestic video sales. As a senior Head Hunters member, you must have been aware of the scale and overall extent of the gangs enterprises.. Dee's only criticism was directed towards the 'wandering' second act. What makes me sad is that there are people in this book whove been tempted along a pathway that they saw as their only option, and are either dead or probably plotting their next move in prison. These cases are determined by the civil level of proof, the "balance of probabilities", rather than the much higher criminal evidential threshold of "beyond reasonable doubt". As one police source cynically noted, a number of people have disappeared after crossing the gang under the stewardship of Smith. Over that time, the Head Hunters grew into one of the most notorious and wealthy criminal organisations in the country - particularly when the methamphetamine trade took hold in the late 1990s. It was the third such brazen attack on the Head Hunters pad in recent years; each linked to new Australian gangs, the Comancheros and the Mongols, which have upset the pecking order in New Zealand. The trial has been postponed twice, but a judge-alone hearing has been scheduled for October next year. Patched members of the West Auckland-based chapter of the Head Hunters - of which Smith was a former president and member for 30 years - were among mourners at his funeral at Piki Te Aroha marae in Northland. Get the answers to some of our most common queries. "Further there is evidence from two recent drug investigations conducted by the police that payments were made to the Head Hunters East Chapter, to senior patched members of that chapter, and in the case of one to Mr Doyle directly and/or the other interests associated with him," Justice Venning said. Lock them up alongside well-connected criminals? [27] Kenneth Lowe of Paste Magazine wrote: "If The Head Hunter had come in with a bigger budget and a different director, there would have been all sorts of attempts at injecting silly lore into this pure and primal tale. The Eagle police helicopter also circled above but the gang members weren't stopped as they headed east on Marua Rd bound for, according to sources, Puhoi, north of Auckland. "There will be an increased police presence in the area, for community reassurance and to respond to any issues if they arise. The huge motorbike procession of Head Hunters and other gang members accompanying the casket arrived at the Mngere Lawn Cemetery in south Auckland shortly after 1.30pm. New Zealand Police. [15] It received a limited theatrical release on April 5, 2019. The film centers on the title character, who works as a bounty hunter for a local kingdom, all the while he awaits the eventual return of the creature responsible for the murder of his daughter. It stars Norwegian actor Christopher Rygh as the title character, Cora Kaufman, and Aisha Ricketts. [1], Construction of the film's props and various monsters in the film commenced before the script was completed, with the filmmakers experimenting with the designs and techniques that would be implemented on a low budget. If Corrections does lift the ban on the book in prisons, they might as well also distribute the business cards of importers and suppliers upon arrival, like a welcome pack. Strickland was sentenced to six months community detention, followed by 12 months supervision. He stepped down from the role of President in July 2010. It stars Norwegian actor Christopher Rygh as the title character, Cora Kaufman, and Aisha Ricketts. The Epitaph Riders - the first major South Island gang - appeared in Christchurch in 1969, followed by the Devil's Henchmen in 1978. Nicknamed "501s" after the section of the immigration law used to deport them from Australia on character grounds, police believe these gangs have a disproportionate influence on the criminal underworld because of their international connections, sophisticated counter-surveillance tactics, and aggressive approach to using firearms. Although not alleged to be personally responsible for the criminal activity of other Head Hunters, the thrust of the police case is that Doyle received significant financial benefits because of his status as the alleged leader of the gang. David Dunn - President, Head Hunters West (2010 - 2014). [1][7] From the outset, both Downey and Stewart knew that the film would be low budget, and feature a very small cast, which was all factored into the film's script. Revving engines filled the air and curious residents emerged from homes to watch as dozens of Head Hunters set off on a cross-city motorcycle run to mark the 20th anniversary of the gang's most influential chapter. Traveling far north to an island, he finds the monster in a cave. After the gang members left for their journey to Puhoi, police checkpoints remained in place, with one stopping motorists to check driver licences. Influenced by Jean-Jacques Annaud's 1981 film Quest for Fire, as well as The X-Files, and Tales From the Crypt television series, The Head Hunter was developed by Downey and Kevin Stewart, with the location in mind long before the film's story was eventually developed. Our values reflect what is important to us and the communities we serve. Lyndon Vaughan Richardson during an appearance in the High Court in Christchurch in March 2021. Every plastic sword or shield, skeletons, and skulls, anything that just looked kind of creepy, crawly, medieval, or metal. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, The Head Hunter holds an approval rating of 95%, based on 19 reviews, and an average rating of 7.20/10. With love and respect. Highway 61 was the largest motorcycle gang in New Zealand in 2010. While doing so, he suddenly cries out in shock and pain before going silent. Having worked in a remand prison, I thought I knew what to expect from journalist Jared Savages true crime expos. [8], Rygh, who had previously starred in the Norwegian short film Ulfberht,[10] was described by Downey as being easy to work with, and never once complained on set. Why would a private company want a prisoner to get even a whiff of education or reform when theres profit to be made from letting him reoffend instead. In his new book, Gangland, investigative reporter Jared Savage explores the country's growing underbelly of organised crime and violent gangs, paying particular attention to the constantly-growing. Guns, drugs, cars, cash - even stolen Star Wars figures - have been seized in Northland, Auckland, Tauranga, Rotorua, Wairarapa, Wellington, Nelson and as far south as Christchurch. Savage relays the facts with impartiality and integrity. Scan the QR code to download now. Although I shouldnt imagine it was at the top of Savages book proposal, I am grateful to him for shining a light on this kind of life. Understanding the infringement process, how to pay, lost notice, request safety camera photo, transfer liability and more. Doyle strongly denied the allegations, according to his defence lawyer Maria Pecotic who successfully opposed an application by the Herald to view the police evidence. Steven Charles Strickland, left, Richardson, and Carrick John Broadley, in court in March 2021. To some,. On the basis of the so-far uncontested evidence, Justice Venning was satisfied there was reasonable grounds to believe the properties linked to Doyle were acquired by fraud, criminal dishonesty, money laundering and other significant criminal activity. Principal photography later began in Bragana, Portugal, while additional scenes were shot in Norway, and Mammoth Lakes, California. Other senior Head Hunters have been jailed in recent years for serious methamphetamine charges, but Doyle - who was jailed for murder in the 1980s - has not been convicted of a serious crime for nearly 20 years. Whats perhaps even more interesting than the criminals are the covert operations. The following information contains the rules and guidelines of the Head Hunters MC New Zealand GTA Online. Lyndon Vaughan Richardson appeared in court in Christchurch where he was sentenced on a charge of participating in organised criminal activity. Police followed the Comancheros "gang run" from Auckland to Waikato, issuing Infringement tickets at a petrol station, and a week later set up a checkpoint to stop a convoy of Killer Beez. Another read: "To me you were always a man of great strength and impeccable character. Police have impounded several bikes, seized vehicle plates and issued around 100 infringement notices in a road policing operation to monitor a gang convoy taking place in Auckland. Audio. The Head Hunter first premiered at the Sitges Film Festival on October 6, 2018, as a part of the festival's "Panorama Fantstic" section. [11] It was later screened at the Nightmares Film Festival on October 20, 2018. 29 Nov 2020. . Head Hunters MC - Country to Going The Herald understands police are closely monitoring the Head Hunter event as part of Operation Cobalt, which includes a dedicated taskforce of staff in Auckland, to "suppress, disrupt and enforce" unlawful gang activity. It was officially established as a motorcycle club in 1985 and an incorporated society in 1996. MP says the caravan serves as constant reminder of what people have to put up with. A number of senior members have been convicted of serious methamphetamine dealing over the past two decades, and have a reputation for intimidation and violence in the criminal underworld. FLAMEDUP HHMC 2018 - Head Hunters MC New Zealand - YouTube The president of the feared Head Hunters needed no introduction. Two years later, Smith took over as president when Wayne Doyle was sent to jail. "[9] John Squires of Bloody Disgusting offered the film similar praise, writing, "Brutal, bloody, gnarly and atmospheric as can be, The Head Hunter is medieval horror gold, as well as one of the coolest and craziest horror movies Ive seen in a long time. Recreational vaping to be banned under big health shake-up, Fatal flaw in escape from infamous island prison, Met Gala 2023: All the outfits from the red carpet, Celebrity chef and MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo dies. Out of the total, $9.2m was deposited into the That Was Then, This Is Now charitable trust. Several senior members received lengthy prison sentences for methamphetamine offences, including William "Bird" Hines, who is also battling ill health, and David O'Carroll. Im not surprised this book was banned from prisons (and after reading it youll be wholly unsurprised that it was Arthur Taylor who was at the centre of its confiscation, and that hes since been on RNZ making the case for freedom of speech). The President reserves the right to ammend or change the rules of the club charter without any prior or advanced warning, in consultation with Senior members. An overview of some of our key work groups. In creating the look and feel of decomposition in the severed heads featured in the film, the production crew reappropriated many old Halloween masks by staining them and placing layers of melted plastic over them in order to create the effect of rotting flesh. [4] The gang had 103 members in prison in 2013. We aim to have the trust and confidence of all - to achieve this we operate in accordance with our values. A giant of the criminal world, Dave Smith died this week after suffering the effects of a stroke for several years. Second AstraZeneca dose 'absolutely critical' despite new advice, "Police are continuing to monitor the situation to ensure the procession is carried out in a safe manner for all road users.". But those I worked with wanted help.

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