NZH Presents - Mr Asia: A Forgotten History

02/18/25 • 2 min

In the 1970s, the Mr Asia drug syndicate was one of the largest sellers of heroin in the world. The group began in New Zealand, with two men at its centre: Marty Johnstone and Terry Clark.

As the syndicate spread around the world, for a few years, they were living the high life. And then, they started killing each other.

In the new season of A Forgotten History, from the New Zealand Herald and Bird of Paradise Productions, John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy revisit the lives and crimes of these two men, their associates, and how their actions changed drug culture in New Zealand.

Episodes available now wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1970s, the Mr Asia drug syndicate was one of the largest sellers of heroin in the world. The group began in New Zealand, with two men at its centre: Marty Johnstone and Terry Clark.

As the syndicate spread around the world, for a few years, they were living the high life. And then, they started killing each other.

Episodes available now wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Previous Episode

Sick or twisted? The story of violent offender Anthony Wheble

Anthony John Wheble is not as well-known as many of the criminals previously covered by A Moment in Crime - but he is considered of New Zealand’s most violent criminals.

He has been in prison for more than a decade and he is serving as sentence with no end date, due to the severity and nature of his crimes.

Wheble has tried to kill two fellow inmates with shanks - one who was confined to a wheelchair at the time with both legs in casts.

The impression you get from the news stories and from the court decisions published about his years of offending is tha Anthony Wheble is a menace, someone who needs to be locked up for as long as possible.

But there are people who will tell you that is not the case, that prison is the worst environment for Wheble, that he is unwell and needs a significant level of help.

In this episode, Anna Leask explores the story of Anthony Wheble - who he is, what he has done and why he may never be released from prison, and speaks to his mum and another of his supporters about their mission to save him.

The series is written and hosted by Leask – who specialises in crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 19 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime.

If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email [email protected].

A Moment in Crime is available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are released monthly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next Episode

My father, the sex offender: Sisters speak about years of abuse

In 2015 a 43-year-old man was jailed for more than 15 years for the premeditated, prolonged and persistent sexual abuse of his two young daughters - filming much of the abuse of the youngest and uploading it to vile websites.

He was also convicted of sexual offending against another two little girls he met through his job at a community centre and secretly filming an adult friend having sex.

Recently he was refused parole and his daughters spoke to senior journalist Anna Leask, host of the Herald podcast A Moment In Crime about their ordeal.
SEXUAL HARM - Where to get help

If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:

Call 0800 044 334
Text 4334
Email [email protected]
For more info or to web chat visit www.safetotalk.nzAlternatively contact your local police station.

If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.