The Star: July 11, 2024
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong> Thursday <strong>July</strong> <strong>11</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
6<br />
NEWS<br />
City council<br />
advertises<br />
for new CEO<br />
THE CITY council has started<br />
advertising for a new permanent<br />
chief executive to replace<br />
Dawn Baxendale, who quit in<br />
November.<br />
In a job advertisement posted<br />
to Seek NZ on Tuesday, the<br />
council detailed its expectations<br />
for the role.<br />
<strong>The</strong> expected salary is yet to<br />
be finalised. But in 2023 Baxendale<br />
was earning $548,548.<br />
Following her departure, Mary<br />
Richardson was named as the<br />
interim chief executive.<br />
<strong>The</strong> job advertisement states<br />
the city council is seeking an<br />
experienced chief executive with<br />
“unquestionable integrity” to<br />
lead 3000 staff members and<br />
work with mana whenua.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> mayor and councillors<br />
are looking to appoint a chief<br />
executive . . . with vision and a<br />
passion to do the absolute best<br />
for the region’s people, communities<br />
and economy.”<br />
A big challenge will be implementing<br />
the Long Term Plan<br />
within budget.<br />
“Effective management of the<br />
council’s financial performance<br />
is crucial, as is the need to champion<br />
climate change initiatives<br />
both within the council and<br />
throughout the community.”<br />
Applications for the role close<br />
on <strong>July</strong> 28.<br />
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz<br />
Henchmen resurface in Chch<br />
ONE OF the city’s oldest<br />
motorcycle gangs appears to be<br />
resurfacing.<br />
Patched Devils Henchmen<br />
have been seen on Christchurch<br />
streets in recent weeks, after<br />
many years of invisibility as the<br />
gang scene evolved and changed<br />
over the decades.<br />
Said Detective Senior Sergeant<br />
Craig Johnson: “<strong>The</strong> Devils<br />
Henchmen MC have been part<br />
of the domestic gang scene for a<br />
long time.<br />
“As natural attrition occurs,<br />
gangs need to recruit to maintain<br />
or increase their influence.<br />
“Police constantly monitor and<br />
assess the risk of all gangs, including<br />
the Devils Henchmen,”<br />
he told the NZ Herald.<br />
It’s understood their numbers<br />
remain low, still probably in<br />
single figures.<br />
Former members of other<br />
high-profile gangs are involved,<br />
the Herald reported.<br />
Police are keeping an eye on<br />
their activities.<br />
“While I won’t comment<br />
directly on police intelligence<br />
or prevention activity, changes<br />
in gang numbers, location or<br />
visibility are always of interest to<br />
us,” said Johnson.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Henchmen formed in<br />
1973.<br />
In the mid-1970s, the fledgling<br />
collective of young men was involved<br />
in a war with the Epitaph<br />
Riders in Christchurch that led<br />
to stabbings, guns, beatings, pad<br />
raids, and Molotov cocktails.<br />
A violent, long-running enmity<br />
with rivals the Road Knights<br />
MC sparked up in the early 90s,<br />
in Timaru with car and firebombs,<br />
armed home invasions,<br />
shootings and drive-bys. It was<br />
gang warfare once described by<br />
police as “wild west stuff”.<br />
Over recent decades, the<br />
feared gang had been based at<br />
a fortified, spacious two-storey<br />
gang pad on the outskirts of<br />
Timaru.<br />
But in May last year, armed<br />
members of the Rebels MC<br />
gang stormed into the rival<br />
Devils Henchmen’s renowned<br />
clubhouse and booted them<br />
out.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Henchmen were forced to<br />
leave behind several motorbikes<br />
and a Rebels flag – a Confederate<br />
flag with a grinning skull and 1%<br />
symbol – was draped from the<br />
top-floor balcony.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Rebels painted over logos,<br />
ripped out all Devils Henchmen<br />
insignia and memorabilia, even,<br />
it’s understood, chiselling out the<br />
gang’s name from tailor-made<br />
wooden bar leaners.<br />
But a week later, after reports<br />
of high tension, even gunshots,<br />
police raided the gang pad and<br />
found several stashed firearms.<br />
BACK IN<br />
TOWN:<br />
Patched<br />
Devils<br />
Henchmen<br />
have been<br />
seen on<br />
Christchurch<br />
streets<br />
in recent<br />
weeks, after<br />
many years<br />
of invisibility.<br />
Below – the<br />
Henchmen<br />
going for a<br />
ride in the<br />
70s.<br />
Open Days<br />
18 and 19 <strong>July</strong> from<br />
10am till 2pm.<br />
Join us for our Open Days at Woodcroft Estate on 18 and<br />
19 <strong>July</strong> from 10am to 2pm. Explore our beautiful homes at<br />
38 Kendon Drive, 1 Beech Place, 28 Kendon Drive, and 7<br />
Beech Lane.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se four “as-new” properties have been refurbished to a<br />
very high standard and are available for tour.<br />
Discover the wonderful features of our community, including<br />
community gardens, a bowling green, a pavilion, library,<br />
dining and function areas, a petanque court, and a secure<br />
environment with amenities close by.<br />
If you have any questions or would like to arrange a<br />
private tour at your convenience, please contact Corinne<br />
on 021 292 <strong>11</strong>41.<br />
We look forward to welcoming you to Woodcroft Estate<br />
Lifestyle Village.<br />
34 Kendon Drive, Rolleston