Kidnapping charges
Three men, including a member of the Head Hunters gang, are facing kidnapping charges, after an incident that seriously injured a victim last weekend.
Search warrants were executed at several Auckland properties yesterday, including an address linked to the Head Hunters motorcycle gang in Helensville.
Officers working on Operation Cobalt as well as precision targeting teams from Auckland City and Waitemat¯a districts have been investigating the incident, which began in Kitchener St in the Auckland CBD early last Sunday.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said: ‘‘The victim in this matter suffered serious injuries. As a result of his ordeal, he is facing a long road to recovery ahead of him.’’
A 21yearold patched member of the Head Hunters motorcycle gang has been charged, along with two other men, aged 17 and 20.
The trio have been all jointly charged with kidnapping and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm offences. —
RNZ
SOUTH Otago pubs have extended an open invitation to varsity students willing to brave a mullet or two, following a recent review in a student magazine.
University of Otago magazine Critic Te A¯ rohi published a satirical article ranking a range of southern pubs according to how scary they were.
The author said he toured the pubs in a quest to shape himself into the ‘‘Southern Man’’ he desired to become.
The Casafuego Eatery and Bar, in Balclutha, was ranked as the scariest pub in South Otago, with the Lake Waihola Cafe and White Horse Inn in Milton also put under the microscope.
On the Casafuego the author said: ‘‘The tension was so palpable that my entrance into the bar warranted six or seven onlookers to glare at me in abhorrence.’’
Casafuego Eatery and Bar owner Andrew HaywardSwain said the magazine’s conclusion came as quite a surprise.
‘‘I think it’s quite funny,’’ he said. ‘‘Maybe the skeletons threw people off.’’
Mr HaywardSwain said the local clientele were typically people in their 30s and 40s, and students did not usually make it down that far.
He said the students would be welcomed back with open arms as southern returned.
Patrons did not think the claims were warranted either.
Robin Duff, of Balclutha, disputed the claims.‘‘It’s not scary at all, apart from the skeletons on the counter,’’ he said.
Irene Duff, of Balclutha, said pubs in the country got a bad rap. men, if they
‘‘I think when you go to somewhere you haven't been, particularly in the country, you tend to be critical.’’
Clutha Licensing Trust general manager Ross Balloch said he had enjoyed a ‘‘hearty laugh’’ reading the article.
The trust owns the White Horse and Catlins inns.
Mr Balloch issued an open invitation to fearful students.
‘‘Believe me, once you crack the shell of the lads down here, they're golden — a bit like the DB in their hand.
‘‘As long as you’re willing to listen to many legendary duckshooting tales, you’re welcome back any time with your newfound bravery.’’