Head Hunters use police to supervise lottery

The Head Hunters HQ in Ellerslie. Photo / Herald on Sunday

A charity run by the Head Hunters gang has used police officers to oversee its lottery and draw lucky numbers for the $40,000 first prize.

The That Was Then, This Is Now Charitable Trust also gains police support for Fight Night boxing events run from the gang's East Auckland headquarters.

The revelation has prompted Police Minister Judith Collins to call for an explanation from Police Commissioner Howard Broad tomorrow. "I am not comfortable with police supervising lottery draws organised by senior members of the Head Hunters gang," Collins said.

"I believe it is sending the wrong signal at a time when New Zealanders need to have confidence that the police are doing everything they can to stamp out gangs."

Collins said it was "time for some common sense" and there would be other people the trust could call on to oversee its lottery. "I will be seeking a full briefing from Police Commissioner Howard Broad on Monday on why police are involved. I would prefer it if they were not."

The trust was set up in 1999 with senior Head Hunter David Dunn as a founding trustee - he has rape and methamphetamine convictions.

The other founding trustee cannot be named for legal reasons and is awaiting trial in prison on drugs and firearms charges.

The lottery and other events - including the highly successful Fight Night boxing event - operate under the supervision of Head Hunter president Wayne Doyle.

All are run from Marua Rd in Ellerslie, regarded by police as the gang's East Auckland headquarters.

An Auckland police spokeswoman said the officers who attended lottery draws did so as one of the licensed bodies able to supervise such events.

"Police operate without fear or favour and this was a legitimate and licensed lottery at which two officers attended. Police are one of the agencies authorised to carry out such tasks."

The Department of Internal Affairs confirmed the lottery was one of five run by the trust.

In each case, the trust had formally applied for a licence to hold the lottery, met the requirements and had it approved. A licence for a sixth lottery has been issued.

An Internal Affairs spokeswoman said one of the requirements of the lottery was to have it supervised by "a person of standing in the community who is independent of the society".

The police could fulfil the role, as could others.

Despite its gang connections, the trust deed states it wants to be a bridge between prison and the community and aims to allow former inmates "through their own efforts" to "choose to have a better future".

It offers its services free to the community, has raised money for a gym, and has "children's open days". The trust was unwilling to speak to the Herald on Sunday.

* That Was Then This Is Now trust website