Tribesmen Aotearoa had a ‘problem’ with the Killer Bees gang, hot-boxing of a patched member wasn’t key issue, defence say

Jun 18, 2025

Five gang members or associates of the Tribesmen Aotearoa chapter are undergoing trial for murder in the Hamilton High Court, having been alleged to have killed fellow chapter member Mark “Shark” Hohua in 2022. He had been subjected to a “hot box”, a form of physical punishment used by the gang to reprimand their members when they had done something wrong- in this case the personal use of chapter funds. Matt, while defending one of the accused Te Patukino Biddle, stated that the meeting the hot box was done at wasn’t held with the focus of carrying out the punishment, but was instead to address the gang’s wider problems with their rivals, the Killer Bees. Matt would go on to state that while Te Patukino had finished with his role in the punishment, others would go on to continue it excessively, eventually resulting in Mark fleeing and falling down some dangerous stairs that resulted in the harm. Read the full article here.

Recent News

STAFF NEWS

We are happy to advise that our law clerk, Spencer Wells, has recently been admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court.

He has now begun his role within Goodwin Law as a junior barrister, and we look forward to watching his development.

STAFF NEWS

We advise that after close to 5 years working at Goodwin Law, Ciara Chester-Cronin has left the practice, effective from 4 April 2025. We wish her all the best with her future endeavours.

We are pleased to announce that Ciara will be replaced by another successful criminal lawyer, who commences on 12 April (details to be announced shortly). Our law clerk Spencer Wells, who has worked for the practice for 3 years, moves into a fulltime role as a junior following his admission to the Bar on 23 May.

ANOTHER NEW TESTIMONIAL: MATT GOODWIN

“I would like to thank you Matt for everything over the last 3.5 years. It definitely was a long and hard process but I am very satisfied with his work. From the beginning my matter was full of emotions and lots of patience from Matt’s end and that showed for the duration of my case – it helped me know that I was in good hands and that he tried his best, right to the end. I do have some regrets from my end however, I accept my sentence and know that there was nothing else we could do so for that I am thankful. I wish Matt the best and hope to see him soon!”
ML

DISCHARGE WITHOUT CONVICTION – DRINK DRIVING

BT was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol. BT was assisted by Ciara and pleaded guilty early in the proceedings and applied for a discharge without conviction. 

The incident occurred after BT made the erroneous decision to drive after celebrating her university graduation with friends, going to bed and sleeping for a number of hours before waking up early in the morning to leave the address. When stopped by Police, BT returned an alcohol-breath reading of 662 mcgs.

At sentencing Ciara outlined for the judge how BT had a difficult past which she had overcome to obtain a degree as a healthcare professional. However, the impact of a conviction would stymie the progression of her career, which was only at an early stage and BT had completed various courses to make amends for her actions.  

The application was successful and a discharge without conviction was granted. 

Tags