Founded 1968 Years active 1968-present | Founding location Auckland, New Zealand | |
Territory New Zealand and Australia Criminal activities Drug dealing, rape, theft, murder | ||
The Highway 61 Motorcycle Club are an international Outlaw motorcycle club operating in New Zealand and Australia. Their colours are black and gold.
History
The Highway 61 mc was formed in Auckland in 1968, and have since expanded into Hastings, Wellington, Rotorua, Northland, Christchurch and Australia. The Highway 61 patch consists of a skeleton holding on to ape hangers (handlebars) with the road, or highway, seen below the skull.
In 1997, Highway 61 members were convicted of murdering a member of the New Zealand Nomads. In 1993, Highway 61 members were convicted of theft, receiving cars valued at nearly $1,000,000.
In 1998, senior ex member Malcolm Rewa was convicted on multiple charges of rape, and is serving a life prison sentence.
In 2003, club president Kevin Weavers was accidentally killed by ex highway 61 member Kelly Robertson, which weakened and caused a rift within the gang.
At the 1979 Nelson Mardi Gras event the Lost Breed clashed with members of Highway 61 from Wellington. 4 are injured and 21 Lost Breed members and associates are arrested.
They are believed to have expanded into Australia in around 1984, later setting up a chapter in Brisbane in 1998