[4][5] The Head Hunters were formed as a large multi-ethnic street gang in 1967, in the East Auckland suburb of Glen Innes.

[4] Detective Sergeant Craig Martin Turley said in 2000, "The Head Hunters Motorcycle Club is considered one of the most dangerous organised criminal operations in the country.

[7] In late August 2024, High Court Justice Peter Andrew ruled that the Commissioner of Police could seize NZ$15 million worth in cash and property assets from the gang and its alleged boss Wayne Doyle on the grounds that they had been acquired through criminal activities including drugs and standovers.

[8] The Head Hunters are an organised crime group, using companies, societies, and trusts to shroud their operations and cash flow in secrecy.

The gang has a single strategy: remain limited in members, report all to the central headquarters in Ellerslie, and expand nationally.

[11] The organisation has "patched over" smaller regional gangs, allowing them to become Head Hunters, providing they adhere to the business model.

[9] The 2017 Financial Statements, of the incorporated portion of the organisation, lodged with the New Zealand Societies Office stated the total assets to be $106,630.

The Centennial Park property is also listed as the registered office of the society, and is a well known headquarters for the Head Hunters North chapter, located in Wellsford.

[28][29] The Head Hunters profit not only from the boxing training enterprise, but from the '88' merchandising that sees them sell caps, hats, t-shirts, gym bags, and sweatshirts, among others.