"We are aware of previous incidents involving gang processions where dangerous driving behaviour has been exhibited by some of the riders, which has at times put those involved and the wider community at risk.". Photo / Supplied. While the police have successfully targeted gangs in covert investigations into drugs and organised crime over many years, in recent weeks police have used more overt tactics to keep an eye on gang behaviour. And are they, like me, left wondering whether New Zealand Auckland especially is genuinely unsafe? While Smith was a "real menace in his younger days", Stokes said he mellowed as he matured. [1] In order to combat the film's low budget, the variety of creatures that appear throughout the film are only shown in glimpses or merely implied,[6] the film's low budget also limited the amount of production crew the filmmakers could hire, which, according to Stewart, only consisted of three other people, including himself and Downey. "There is an available inference the Trusts have been involved in money laundering," said Justice Venning, who noted the charitable status was under review. The investigation also uncovered a number of people who were allegedly assisting the offenders involved who were actively attempting to avoid Police. While doing so, he suddenly cries out in shock and pain before going silent. Around 40 patched members and their motorcycles head east on Marua Rd. The judge said there also seemed to be a discrepancy of $2.4m between the trust's declared income and funds deposited into the bank account. Even the motorcycle gang Hells Angels paid tribute to a "staunch good man" who "would be sadly missed". The Father's severed head is then revealed to be the one that was pinned to the wall, and the creature, its head now attached to the Father's body, leaves taking one of the jars of elixir along with it, gloating as it walks away saying, Body Mine!, "Weve seen dragons, and weve seen monster battles before, but what we havent seen is how a character responds to that stuff. Armed with a pulpy spirit and plenty of monster gore to go around, The Head Hunter makes for enjoyably gnarly fantasy horror B-movie entertainment. "[28] Gaming and culture website Polygon's Rafael Motamayor favorably compared to Sam Raimi's Evil Dead II, and the fantasy video game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The Head Hunters are based in the North Island, predominantly around East Auckland, with its headquarters in Ellerslie, as well as chapters located in West Auckland, Wellsford and Wellington. 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. She explains how the book has upended her thinking. And then theres the system. I had decided by that point not to find out what the crimes were. This has been a deliberate nationwide strategy to tackle the gang, which has aggressively expanded in numbers and geographic locations in recent years. Fortunately no one was injured in any of these incidents, however these were extremely serious and there was a significant risk to members of the public as a result of the actions of these individuals. A short man, tattooed head to toe, bounced up and down and barked at me from behind a sally port door. High Alert website proving its worth in preventing harm from drugs, Back to basics in the outdoors this winter, Ko te iwi Mori me Ng Pirihimana e ngunguru nei, /* prefer image alt text over title as title field used for caption and can be quite long (REF-483) */ ?> Whats perhaps even more interesting than the criminals are the covert operations. Gangland: New Zealands Underworld of Organised Crime, by Jared Savage (Harper Collins, $36.99) is available from Unity Books Auckland and Wellington. Over time, I learned that at the core was usually childhood abuse, years of trauma, and subsequent profound alienation. Your chance to help solve serious crimes. He maintains tension by running the burgeoning rivers of meth in New Zealand alongside the increasing capabilities of criminals, advancing technology and surveillance used by the investigative forces, and the evolution of various gangs. Several patched members of the King Cobras central Auckland chapter also arrived to pay their respects. Several Auckland detectives were seen around the edge of the crowd. Reburying his daughter the next morning, the Father returns home. [19][20], The Head Hunter was released via Video on Demand,[16] cable, and digital media on April 5, 2019. While that company remains here, I worry that theres little hope for any of those caught up in the meth river even those who do want help. Join a team who are passionate about transforming arms safety and control in Aotearoa. Nearly $20 million flowed into bank accounts linked to Head Hunters boss Wayne Doyle over the past 15 years, according to the police. Another South Island gang, the Road Knights, formed in Tmaru in 1979. "There is an available inference the Trusts have been involved in money laundering," said Justice Venning, who noted the charitable status was under review. 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. Justice Doogue however recognised that Richardson was not charged as a party in the methamphetamine dealing. in one app. [1] Norwegian actor Christopher Rygh was later cast as the leading role, in his feature-film debut,[8][1] after filmmakers discovered him while searching a casting website. I was told he was letting other Mongrels know there was fresh meat on the units. Concerning behaviour could be reported to police by calling 105. The court case has already dragged on for nearly five years. "[23] Janel Spiegel from HorrorNews.net praised the film's atmosphere, cinematography, as well as the film's suspense, originality, and Rygh's performance. Its remarkable that this is the first significant book on the industry. Discovering what transpired, The Father prepares to hunt down the revived creature as it searches for a new body. Hui owned a popular Chinese restaurant in Auckland and imported Chinese chicken bread crumbs and cooking utensils from Guangzhou. I wonder how many of those choosing to read Gangland will, like me, realise the privilege of their naivety and close the book better educated on another kind of pandemic. She sentenced Richardson to 10 months home detention, saying that imprisonment was not appropriate in his case. Five properties across Auckland, including the gang's headquarters, linked to Doyle have been restrained by orders granted by the High Court in September after the police made an application under the Criminal Proceeds Recovery Act. He confirmed the gang's plans - but said the motley crew of career criminals would travel on a bus and not wear their patches. Gangland has the kind of title Ive spent six years avoiding. MP says the caravan serves as constant reminder of what people have to put up with. [22], Sandy Schaefer from Screen Rant wrote, "While he clearly had limited resources to draw from here, Downey is nevertheless able to deliver a mean and lean tale of revenge with a surprisingly rich sense of atmosphere. 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. Nearly $20 million flowed into bank accounts linked to Head Hunters boss Wayne Doyle over the past 15 years, according to the police. As Jarrod Gilbert explains in his 2016 book Patched: The History of Gangs in New Zealand, the Mongrel Mob committed "some of the most notorious crimes of physical and sexual violence in modern. In August 1983, Smith and fellow Head Hunter Jason Ruka were charged with murdering Highway 61 rival Steven Bliss, who was stabbed nine times in the stomach at a party in Kingsland. 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). I read it with my own experience with gangs in mind but I was left perplexed, perhaps because Savages matter-of-fact tone, and the careful detail of his reporting, revealed my naivety. The series of incidents are believed to have commenced around April 5th 2021 and involved a number of serious matters involving arsons and drive-by shootings at properties associated with those gangs. He was the gangs most senior figure based in Christchurch. Photo / Instagram. The show of strength to mark the 20th anniversary of the East chapter comes as the Head Hunters have been challenged by new contenders in the gang world and police pressure on Doyle. "This has been very effective and we have stopped and checked every motorcycle in the convoy," said Inspector Regan James. "And I thought what a load of nonsense, they're obviously going to be riding up and wearing their patches," said Stokes. The Head Hunters was considered the dominant force in the Christchurch underworld for several years until a lengthy police investigation, Operation Block, exposed suspected drug dealing in its. The addresses of the restrained homes, as well as the names of Doyle's children and grandchildren who live there, are suppressed. Over that time, investigators from the Ministry of Social Development allege Doyle claimed $380,000 in social welfare payments he was not entitled to. Created by a skeleton crew on a meager budget with limited supplies, it is overflowing with imagination and atmosphere. The president of the feared Head Hunters needed no introduction. Theres a compelling short history into the market of meth that shows it was likely to have been introduced by an American bikie gang in the 90s. The Charities Registration Board did not believe the trust was fulfilling its charitable purpose of rehabilitating prisoners, but agreed to reconsider the decision after an appeal to the High Court in April. 29 Nov 2020. MP says the caravan serves as constant reminder of what people have to put up with. View user-friendly graphics that provide an overview of key Police data. Principal photography later began in Bragana, Portugal, while additional scenes were shot in Norway, and Mammoth Lakes, California. It is understood they had travelled to Avondale before looping back to the Head Hunters' east Auckland pad, before heading south. The structure of Gangland, the careful unravelling of gang interconnectivity, is one of the books great strengths. He stepped down as president in July this year, replaced by David Dunn, who has convictions for methamphetamine and rape. 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. Justice Venning noted Doyle was unable to challenge the evidence presented by the police at the time of his ruling, which alleges Doyle and his former partner benefited from "significant criminal activity". A salt of the earth." Police kept a low profile, managing traffic in Great North Road as the outlaws blocked the street once the coffin was removed from the church and into a hearse. How to get help for family violence (domestic violence) and learn about Protection Orders and Police Safety Orders. ", "Medieval Horror Film The Head Hunter Is like Predator Meets Skyrim", "The Head Hunter (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)", "The Head Hunter (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Nick Soole", "San Diego Comic-Con 2019 Panel 'Sounds of Horror', "Comic-Con 2019: Sounds of Horror: Inside Hollywood's Most Terrifying Film Scores", "VOD reviews: 'The Haunting of Sharon Tate' is sleazy exploitation, but 'The Wind' is one to see", "Sitges 2018: The Head Review - Skyrim Goes Horror", "In The Head Hunter, Sword-and-Sorcery Meets Sam Raimi", "The Head Hunter review: imagine a live-action Skyrim-like horror movie", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Head_Hunter_(2018_film)&oldid=1150946418, Short description is different from Wikidata, Album articles lacking alt text for covers, Rotten Tomatoes template using name parameter, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Christopher Rygh as Father (The Head Hunter), a lone, Cora Kaufman as Daughter, Father's child, who was brutally murdered by a mysterious and deadly creature, Aisha Ricketts as The Head (voice), a deadly creature responsible for the brutal murder of the Head Hunter's child, This page was last edited on 20 April 2023, at 23:52. Head Hunter president Wayne Doyle also alleged to have received $380,000 in welfare payments he was not entitled to, say MSD investigators. It stars Norwegian actor Christopher Rygh as the title character, Cora Kaufman, and Aisha Ricketts. 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. "[6] The title character's armor was created by Swedish costume designer Andr Bravin, who fashioned it out of leather. Taylor has told RNZ that if I hadnt ended up in that Epuni Boys Home I would never have interacted with the criminal justice system., So whats next? Head Hunter president Wayne Doyle also alleged to have received $380,000 in welfare payments he was not entitled to, say MSD investigators. Concerned about the possibility of 30 patched members on motorcycles riding through a small town and terrorising the locals, Mr Stokes called Smith. From all your brothers out west," the Head Hunters wrote in the Herald death notices. [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. The gang recently won an appeal in an ongoing legal battle after the trust was deregistered as a charity. His lover Penny, also his drug-pawn and the manager of his genuine yum cha business, sold parcels of pseudoephedrine disguised as takeaway meals wrapped in newspaper. (1969-Present). Keep up to date and subscribe to NZ Police news and insights. [3] He is the brother of senior Head Hunters member, William Hines. Initially a tight-knit group of around 30, the Head Hunters have now grown to have an estimated 500 patched members and prospects across the country. As part of the police case, an investigation by the Ministry of Social Development alleges Doyle received $380,000 in social welfare payments over 23 years he was not entitled to. 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. "He was a lot more level-headed and reasonable when I was dealing with him," said Stokes. These alleged payments allowed him to accrue the restrained properties, now valued at more than $10m, despite having declared no income for many years, according to the police. Every plastic sword or shield, skeletons, and skulls, anything that just looked kind of creepy, crawly, medieval, or metal. A further six associates of the Head Hunters gang were charged with accessory after the fact in relation to allegedly assisting an offender involved in the Sofitel shooting to escape Police. Chapman also said police were looking for any information from the public or "professional bodies who are engaged in the financial affairs of the Head Hunters gang". Traveling far north to an island, he finds the monster in a cave. "[1], Writer/director Jordan Downey on the inspiration for the film's story, The Head Hunter was produced and directed by Jordan Downey, who also co-wrote the film's script. Other props for the film were purchased inexpensively by the production crew the day after Halloween, as Downey recalled "we just bought every medieval thing in there we could find. Read also: Head Hunters raided: 180 cops storm 30 'gang' properties. Frustrated emails from Kawerau constable to Police Commissioner Mike Bush led to downfall of Mo Video of gang's botched $1m drug deal that brought down Comancheros leader - NZ Herald, Auckland Airport meth bust: Air New Zealand baggage handlers charged - NZ Herald. After a hard battle he finally decapitates the monster and travels home to pay respects to his daughter. Operation Coin was the latest in a string of investigations into the Head Hunters across New Zealand over the last three years. "Further there is evidence from two recentdrug investigationsconducted 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. On Monday Richardsons lawyer, Kerry Cook, spoke about the changes Richardson had made to distance himself from the gang and allow for the important intergenerational change to occur so no members of his family were associated with the Head Hunters any longer. Headhunting in recruitment is about approaching the best people in your industry, be it within New Zealand or internationally. The Head Hunter (originally titled The Head) is a 2018 American fantasy horror film directed by Jordan Downey, who also co-wrote, produced, and edited the film. This was a complex investigation involving a large number of offenders and I want to acknowledge the dedication of our staff who have been committed to identifying and apprehending everyone allegedly involved in these series of incidents. based on the film franchise of the same name, "Tracking Down Grief With The Head Hunter: Filmmaker Jordan Downey on a monster movie with a fractured heart - Screens - The Austin Chronicle", "The Head Hunter (2019) - Financial Information", "Amazing Critters: Bounty Hunter Fan Film GeekTyrant", "Fan Film Critters: Bounty Hunter Puts the Bite Back Into the Crites - Dread Central", "Murderous turkey coming to LMU in alumni's film sequel", "Interview: Filmmakers Behind Medieval-Horror 'The Head Hunter' and 'ThanksKilling', "Interview: Director Jordan Downey (The Head Hunter)", "See the Medieval Horror Trailer for "The Head Hunter", "The Head - Sitges Film Festival - Festival Internacional de Cinema Fantstic de Catalunya", "Nightmares Film Festival '18 Full Lineup Revealed! According to filmmakers Downey and Stewart, the reason for the change was mainly due to lukewarm reactions under the initial name, with the film's distributor, Vertical Entertainment, suggesting a change in the film's title. Doyle strongly denied the allegations, according to his defence lawyer Maria Pecotic who successfully opposed an application by theHeraldto view the police evidence. His victory is short-lived as one of his jars containing the elixir he left near his window is knocked over and spills over the creature's decapitated head, bringing it back to life. Out of the total, $9.2m was deposited into the That Was Then, This Is Now charitable trust. Police are interviewing a former Mt Eden Prison officer after raiding Head Hunters properties today. At the inquest into the death of the 28-year-old, his father Raymond Bliss told the coroner that witnesses were scared. An overview of some of our key work groups. Last month, the Marua Rd pad was attacked in a late-night drive-by shooting. RYAN ANDERSON/STUFF Police swarmed the Sofitel in downtown Auckland after a shooting linked to a feud between the Head Hunters and Mongols (first published April 2021). 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. 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. David Dunn - President, Head Hunters West (2010 - 2014). A gang member's position on the board of a charitable trust helping rehabilitate prisoners biased the decision to deregister it, the High Court has been told. One eyewitness told police he saw the fatal stabbing, then at court said he saw nothing. Whittaker said officers would be monitoring the event to ensure the safety of all road users and would take appropriate action if any unsafe ad dangerous behaviour occurs. As Jarrod Gilbert explains in his 2016 book Patched: The History of Gangs in New Zealand, the Mongrel Mob committed some of the most notorious crimes of physical and sexual violence in modern New Zealand history. As part of the police case, an investigation by the Ministry of Social Development alleges Doyle received $380,000 in social welfare payments over 23 years he was not entitled to. "Police want to reassure the community that these cordons are a precaution to ensure the safety of all motorists travelling around the area. A giant of the criminal world, Dave Smith died this week after suffering the effects of a stroke for several years. "Dave was one of the powers behind the Head Hunters, no doubt about that," said Cam Stokes, a former head of the police motorcycle gang unit in Auckland. After "combing through all kinds of medieval literature", the filmmakers later came up with the film's current title. 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.". Another read: "To me you were always a man of great strength and impeccable character. Downey and Stewart were originally against the name change, but later embraced it as they felt the current title shifted the focus from the antagonist to the main character. Updates about local and national traffic issues and crime incidents. The Head Hunter (originally titled The Head) is a 2018 American fantasy horror film directed by Jordan Downey, who also co-wrote, produced, and edited the film. The Head Hunter first premiered at the Sitges Film Festival on October 6, 2018, as a part of the festival's "Panorama Fantstic" section. Savage gives enormous credit to the forces pushing back against the drug networks. He answered: A chance to break the cycle., *CLARIFICATION: An earlier version referred to Lyndon Richardson as a former Head Hunters president. Or a gold-plated Harley, for that matter although is that something you ever look at the same way? Six members of the Head Hunters gang have been charged with numerous offences including participation in an organised criminal group, dangerous act with a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of firearms and drug dealing offences. "When the witnesses came in, they looked around and saw the two JPs, they saw the defence and they looked at the back and saw the Head Hunters," the Herald reported Mr Bliss saying in December 1983. Police previously said they would be "actively monitoring" the procession, and a large presence of patched gang members was expected. As of 3pm local time there had been no arrests and both gatherings were free of any disorder. Over the course of the investigation, Police have made a total of 19 arrests, with the latest arrest occurring last week, and all 19 alleged offenders are appearing before the courts. 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? About $19.9m was deposited into the bank accounts of the six entities associated with Doyle between 2002 and 2016 - half in cash - according to analysis by the Serious Fraud Office. 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. Two years later, Smith took over as president when Wayne Doyle was sent to jail. Forever remembered for the way you were. Get more of the radio, music and podcasts you love with the FREE They have a long criminal history, with more than 1000 . Both are used to manufacture meth. They hadnt had access to education. "[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. 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. A senior Head Hunters gang member used a friend who worked at VTNZ to get names and addresses of nine people, and it's still not clear whether they are aware of the privacy breach. This has been a deliberate nationwide strategy to tackle the gang, which has aggressively expanded in numbers and geographic locations in recent years. "We want to reassure the community that we don't tolerate offending on our roads," James said. The public was urged to report concerning behaviour to Police through 105. Lock them up alongside well-connected criminals? Norwegian actor Christopher Rygh was cast as the leading role, in his feature-film debut, after filmmakers discovered him while searching a casting website. It may feature just one or two fight scenes, no cackling wizards or captive princesses, but it manages to evoke that spirit while also telling a straightforward horror story. Lyndon Vaughan Richardson during an appearance in the High Court in Christchurch in March 2021. Using a talent sourcing service is more common in New Zealand than you may think. [15] It received a limited theatrical release on April 5, 2019. Operation Coin was the latest in a string of investigations into the Head Hunters across New Zealand over the last three years. The gathering began in a quiet and orderly fashion. Dave Smith died in 2010, aged 53, after suffering for many years from a stroke. Steven Charles Strickland, left, Richardson, and Carrick John Broadley, in court in March 2021. Call triple one when you need an emergency response from Police, Fire or Ambulance. Check to see if a boat is stolen and report sightings. Richardson, who already has a substantial criminal record, told the court he left the Head Hunters three years ago, and although the door to the gang remained open to him, he has firmly shut that door. While New Zealand criminals have always carried firearms, the arrival of so many rival groups has escalated tensions to the point where someone is more likely to pull the trigger. [8], The Head Hunter first premiered at the Sitges Film Festival on October 6, 2018 as a part of the festival's "Panorama Fantstic" section. The previous day, Inspector Jacqui Whittaker had warned that a large number of riders were expected to be travelling across Auckland "throughout the day". [7] Shooting occasionally proved challenging, as the costumes, and props had to be shot in a certain way in order to "look right on camera", and crew members, including Downey, performing multiple roles during production. About $19.9m was deposited into the bank accounts of the six entities associated with Doyle between 2002 and 2016 - half in cash - according analysis by the Serious Fraud Office.
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