A new video posted online featuring Auckland Head Hunters gang members pulling burnouts and wheelies in Auckland is likely designed to attract new members, an expert says.
In the un-dated video, which was posted to YouTube on October 31 by "Outsiders Films", Head Hunters MC members are pictured outside their headquarters in Henderson, as well as riding in large groups along Auckland motorways.
Some of the shots show gang members performing burnouts on their bikes and pulling wheelies at high speed through tunnels, while others feature the children of members pulling gang signs enthusiastically.
The video is slickly edited and features the music of Kiwi rapper and producer Kings, as well a classic hip-hop remix track by American artist DJ Skandalous. It has amassed more than 24,000 views in a week.
A spokesperson for Kings told 1 NEWS his music had been used without permission, and said they will be looking into it.
Canterbury University criminologist Dr Greg Newbold said the video is likely to have been produced either with the consent of the gang, or even commissioned by them with the purpose of attracting new members.
"They've got that rap music which appeals to the young gangsters - the old guys ... I don't think they'll like that stuff much, but if you want to recruit young people you have to play the type of music they like," Dr Newbold said.
"I think it's a recruitment drive really, I don't think they're trying to scare other people off, but attract people to their brand.
"They want to up their profile."
Dr Newbold said it shows how gangs are becoming modernised and using new technology to assist them in finding members and marketing themselves.
The children featured in the video could be a deliberate move, he said, to show people that entrance to the gang is all-inclusive.
"They're showing that your family is part of the whole deal," he said.
"I feel sorry for kids who are brought up in that kind of environment, myself - I don't think it's healthy - but that's their reality.
"They're indicating that this is an all-enveloping thing, its a whole family deal, and we're all part of this greater brotherhood."
Dr Newbold said it's likely police will closely examine the video, and any other gang-related content, for information on the club and its membership.
A police spokesperson said they are aware of the video and encouraged members of the public to report any dangerous or reckless driving behaviour they see.
"The Head Hunters are one of the larger organised crime gangs in Auckland," the spokesperson said.
"We know there is a link between organised criminal gangs and crime ... we are committed to reducing the harm caused by organised criminal groups and this is an area of particular focus for Police.
"The Commissioner announced earlier this year that Police will be receiving an extra 200 dedicated staff who will be specifically focused on preventing crime related to gangs and drug-related offending."
Police swoop on the Head Hunters headquarters on Marua Rd in Ellerslie.
Police arrested eight members of the Head Hunters on methamphetamine charges in December last year as part of Operation Boeing, and have actively investigated gang members for a variety of other charges.
Head Hunters membership numbers were estimated at 275 in 2016, with former Police Association president Greg O'Connor saying at the time they have grown rapidly over the past few years.
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