Voices for Freedom

Last updated
TJB 2021 Limited
Voices For Freedom (VFF)
Company type NZ Limited Company
Industry Other Interest Group Services n.e.c.
Founded2021(4 years ago) (2021)
Area served
New Zealand
Owner
  • Alia Bland (33.33%)
  • Claire Deeks (33.33%)
  • Elizabeth Jonson (33.33%)
Website voicesforfreedom.co.nz
Footnotes /references
S955960 – Other Interest Group Services n.e.c. on Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC)

Voices for Freedom's logo Voices for Freedom logo, Dec 2022.png
Voices for Freedom's logo

TJB 2021 Limited, [1] [2] trading as Voices for Freedom (VFF), is an anti-vaccine advocacy group in New Zealand that formed in December 2020 to oppose the New Zealand Government's COVID-19 mitigation policies and vaccination rollout. The organisation is founded and led by food blogger and former Advance New Zealand candidate Claire Deeks, Libby Jonson and Alia Bland. [3] [4] Voices for Freedom has been criticised by NZ Skeptics, The Spinoff editor Madeleine Chapman, and "FACT Aotearoa" for spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccinations. [5] [6] [7]

Contents

Leadership and structure

Voices for Freedom was founded in December 2020 by food blogger and former Advance New Zealand candidate Claire Deeks, Libby Jonson and Alia Bland as "a non-political organisation focused on protecting New Zealanders' fundamental human rights with a particular focus on freedom of speech, health/medical freedom and all freedoms under attack from an overzealous and oppressive Covid-19 response." [8] [3] [4] [9]

Voices for Freedom registered as a limited liability company, under the legal name TJB 2021 Limited, on 27 April 2021. [2]

As of 15 August 2022, VFF claimed to have 100,000 members. [9]

The organisation's financial sources remain opaque, having spent large amounts on promotion and court cases, but claims to have received donations from "thousands of concerned Kiwis". [10] [11]

Communications output

Flyers

In March 2021, Voices for Freedom teamed up with the Advance NZ party to distribute a magazine called The Real News promoting conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines, using discredited internet-based sources. [12] The Real News is published by Full Courts Press director and shareholder Jonathan Eisen and his wife Katherine Smith, whose company has also published the pseudoscientific The New Zealand Journal of Natural Medicine and the conspiracy theory–promoting Uncensored magazine. By 12 March, at least 60,000 copies of the magazine had been distributed to postboxes. [13] By May 2021, the VFF and Advance NZ had raised NZ$10,000 to print and distribute 60,000 copies of The Real News. [14] The following month, a second issue of The Real News was circulated. [15]

In late April 2021, Voices for Freedom distributed a 29-page 'COVID Response Survival Kit' questioning the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and minimising the danger posed by SARS-CoV-2. In response, University of Waikato biological scientist Alison Campbell and the University of Auckland Helen Petousis-Harris criticised the pamphlet for spreading disinformation and propaganda that did not meet the standard of scrutiny. [11]

In mid-May 2021, Deeks claimed that the VFF had raised NZ$50,000 towards printing two million virus "fact flyers" which it intended to distribute nationwide. In response, University of Otago clinical microbiologist and immunologist James Ussher criticised the flyers for spreading disinformation about the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, lawyer Mark von Dadelszen cautioned against donating to Voices for Freedom since it was neither a registered charity nor an incorporated society with a formal structure. [14]

Advertising

In late July 2021, Voices for Freedom was banned from the social media platform Facebook for spreading misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the ban, VFF's Facebook page had attracted 12,000 followers. In response, co-founder Bland claimed that Facebook had silenced them since they were reaching half a million people each month and alleged that the Government and mainstream media were spreading misinformation about COVID-19. [4]

In early August 2021, the VFF posted a series of advertisements on LUMO Digital Outdoor's four digital billboards in Auckland calling for submissions on the Government's hate speech legislation. Two of these digital billboards were situated outside the public broadcaster Radio New Zealand's Auckland office. Due to the group's controversial views and disinformation about COVID-19, Voice for Freedom's advertisements were removed. [16] [17]

On 28 April 2022, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that three Voices for Freedom billboards opposing face masks and vaccination had breached advertising regulations on social responsibility, truthful presentation and advocacy advertising. However, the ASA did not uphold a complaint against a fourth billboard published in February 2022 highlighting a Dunedin man who had died from an adverse vaccine reaction in late 2021. [18]

On 27 May 2022, the ASA ordered the removal of another VFF advertisement questioning the Government's vaccination effort on the grounds that it breached advertising guidelines on social responsibility and truthful representation. This marked the third time that the advertising watchdog had ruled against the organisation's advertisements. [19]

Online output

By mid-August 2022, Voices for Freedom had developed a website, email newsletters, a Telegram channel, and a video channel called "Freedom TV" on a far right streaming platform. These were used to facilitate communication, local activism and disseminate anti-vaccination disinformation. [20]

Reality Check Radio

In March 2023, VFF launched an online radio station called Reality Check Radio (RCR). [21] [22] The group's three core leaders Deeks, Bland and Libby Jonson each have a 33.33% stake in the company, which was registered as NZ Media Ventures Limited. [23] [22] Notable hosts include former ACT Party leader Rodney Hide, former TVNZ broadcaster Peter Williams, anti-vaccine influencer Chantelle Baker, former Radio New Zealand broadcaster Paul Brennan, VFF activist and local councillor Jaspreet Bosparai, former Federated Farmers president Don Nicholson and former Green Party candidate Natalie Cutler-Welsh, [21] [22] The station has promoted anti-woke, anti-transgender content, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, and climate change denial. [22] [24] In April 2024, the station went off air due to financial problems, leading to a fundraising campaign led by host Williams. [25]

Activism

Networking

In February 2021, Peter Williams had encouraged listeners on his Magic Talk radio station to visit Voices for Freedom's website, agreeing with their opposition to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and support for ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19. [26] Williams subsequently joined VFF's Reality Check Radio in March 2023. [21]

By March 2021, Voices for Freedom had established a partnership with 'Covid Plan B', a group of anti-lockdown health professionals and academics led by University of Auckland epidemiologist Simon Thornley. [27] In March 2020, Thornley had criticised the New Zealand Government's COVID-19 alert level system, which utilised lockdowns. [28] Thornley also served as a keynote speaker at a VFF event in March 2021 and appeared on the group's webshow. Covid Plan B's Facebook page also shared social media posts by Voices for Freedom. [29] COVID-19 Plan B's partnership with VFF was criticised in an open letter by the anti-misinformation group Fight Against Conspiracy Theories (FACT). [27]

On 20 October 2022, Voices for Freedom supporters participated in the farming advocacy group Groundswell NZ's nationwide protests against the Government's plans to farm carbon emissions from 2025. VFF protesters attended several Groundswell protest events in Auckland, Dunedin, Wellington, Christchurch, and Timaru. [30] According to Stuff journalist Charlie Mitchell, VFF and Groundswell leaders had allowed VFF members to attend Groundswell protests in order to boost the latter's numbers. Mitchell attributed Voices for Freedom's support for Groundswell's protests to an "identity crisis" caused by the Government's lessening of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which prompted the VFF to look for new causes in response to declining public engagement with their content. [31]

Protests

Voices for Freedom staged several protests across New Zealand in 2021 and 2022. On 6 November 2021, 20–30 supporters led by Dunedin coordinator Tracey Pita staged a protest in Dunedin's Cumberland street near the University of Otago's Dunedin campus. They opposed the Government's vaccine mandates for health, education, and corrections workers. [32]

On 9 November 2021, VFF organised an anti-vaccine mandate march in Invercargill, which attracted between 150 and 300 participants. Protesters marched from the Invercargill War Memorial to Labour List MP Liz Craig's electorate office. [33] [34]

On 10 December 2021, several Voices for Freedom protesters participated in a protest march in Auckland alongside those holding flags of the United Tribes of New Zealand and those opposing the Chinese Communist Party. After gathering in the Auckland Domain for speeches, participants marched to Government House, the Auckland residence of the Governor-General of New Zealand. [35]

On 8 January 2022, the VFF organised an anti-vaccination and anti-lockdown rally in Whanganui. National Party Member of Parliament Harete Hipango attended the protest and posted a social media photo of herself at the rally alongside a second post criticising the label 'anti-vaxer' and 'misinformer'. [36] [37] Following a discussion with National Party leader Christopher Luxon, Hipango deleted the post, and Luxon issued a statement that the group's views did not align with the National Party's position on COVID-19 issues. [38]

Voices for Freedom participated in the 2022 Wellington protests. [39] On 16 February 2022, Stuff journalist Glenn McConnell reported that the group's merchandise was frequently seen at the protest camp outside the New Zealand Parliament. [40]

On 23 February, several VFF protesters heckled Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during her visit to Westport. [41]

Vaccine certificates

On 3 November 2021, Voices for Freedom advertised an event at Newbury School in Palmerston North for people seeking vaccine exemptions. The school, possibly with the support of the Ministry of Education, then withdrew permission for VFF to use its facilities, prompting the cancellation of the event. Social media posts promoting the event claimed that "registered practitioners" were selling vaccine certificates for $10 for individuals and $20 for families. A similar vaccine exemption signing event had been held at a Seventh-day Adventist Church in Palmerston North on 1 November. In response, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced that the Government would be establishing a centralised system to approve vaccine exemptions and clarified that selling or giving away vaccination certificates was illegal. [42]

Alleged front organisations

According to The Spinoff journalist Madeleine Chapman and FACT Aotearoa, Voices for Freedom's Wairarapa Local Coordinator Deborah Cunliffe had established a front organisation called "Nurses for Freedom NZ" (NZFF). While Cunliffe claimed that the two groups are not related, she acknowledged that the VFF supported the NZFF's work. [6] [7] The group spread misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories about the New World Order on its Telegram channel. Despite claiming to represent 700 nurses and healthcare assistants, Paparoa (which researches the far right in New Zealand) found that the group only had ten registered nurses on its membership list. [6] On 28 June 2022, NZFF staged protests outside hospitals in 12 major centres including the Hawke's Bay region calling for the Government to lifts its vaccine mandate requirement for nurses. [7]

On 18 August 2022, Stuff journalist Andrea Vance reported that a Northland-based electoral ticket body called "Sovereign" was running for the Far North District Council. While the group denied being connected with Voices for Freedom, it shared several characteristics including spreading disinformation about COVID-19 and opposing COVID-19 vaccines. In addition, the group has opposed the Government's climate change policies, co-governance arrangements, the Three Waters reform programme, and water fluoridation. The eight-member Sovereign group was founded by Joshua Riley and was reportedly inspired by the American sovereign citizen movement. [43]

Another alleged front organisation is the Auckland –based UnifyNZ, whose stated mission is to raise "regional awareness on critical and highly topical issues." The group is led by the VFF's former Warkworth co-ordinator Teresa Gibson, who has denied that the two groups are formally connected but acknowledged there were individuals with overlapping memberships in both organisations. On 30 July 2022, UnifyNZ organised a public meeting opposing co-governance, which was attended by Rodney ward councillor Greg Sawyers, Albany ward councillor John Watson, Hobson's Pledge trustee Casey Costello, and Groundswell NZ leader Scott Bright. In August 2022, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters spoke at another UnifyNZ meeting opposing co-governance. UnifyNZ has also organised public meetings in September 2022 titled "How the World Health Organisation, World Economic Forum, and (investment managers) BlackRock and Vanguard are internationally connected" and "How UN Agenda 2030 and the 'Green Energy Policies' on food, transport, farming, and heating are impacting Kiwis." [44]

Electoral campaigning and entryism

In mid–August 2022, Stuff and the Guardian Australia reported that Voices for Freedom had called upon its members to stand candidates in the 2022 New Zealand local elections with the intention of infiltrating local government bodies in order to make New Zealand "ungovernable" at the local government level. VFF candidates were instructed to conceal their affiliation with the group when running as candidates. Victoria University of Wellington political scientist Dr Mona Krewel expressed concern that VFF candidates had a good chance of being elected if voter turnout was low and due to the low number of candidates running for local government positions. [9] [45] Similarly, University of Otago researcher and The Disinformation Project research lead Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa expressed concern about VFF-affiliated candidates concealing their true agenda and seeking to make New Zealand "ungovernable." [46] [45]

Notable VFF candidates included Gill Booth and Southland dairy farmer Jaspreet Boparai, who claimed that local councils were following orders from the United Nations' Agenda 2030. [9] Booth ran for the Teviot Valley Community Board while Boparai ran for the Southland District Council and Tuatapere Te Waewae Community Board. The Otago Daily Times also reported that the VFF's Dunedin coordinators Watson and Tracey Pita were running for the Otago Regional Council, Dunedin City Council, and Saddle Hill Community Board respectively. In addition, other VFF candidates have run for various Dunedin city council, mayoral, and community board positions. [46]

On 16 August, Stuff reported that five VFF-affiliated candidates were running for the Christchurch City Council including Sally Cogle, Colleen Farrelly, Mike Wilson, Rob Gray, and Don Cross. Cogle has described COVID-19 as a version of the flu and claimed that COVID-19 vaccines were "poison." Cogle claimed that she and her fellow candidates were standing as independents. Former police officer Wilson has questioned mask and vaccine mandates. [47]

In 18 August, The New Zealand Herald reported that Voices for Freedom was encouraging its followers to apply for key roles and positions with the Electoral Commission for the 2023 New Zealand general election including election managers. Co-founder Deeks claimed that many New Zealanders were concerned about a "general decline" in democracy. In response, Justice Minister Kiri Allan expressed concerns about political forces wanting to intervene in New Zealand elections and stated that electoral staff should operate without bias. Chief electoral officer Karl Le Quesne added that the Electoral Commission had mechanisms including written submissions, job interviews, and referee checks to ensure that only qualified workers were hired. [48]

On 22 August, the Taranaki Daily News reported that VFF's head of national operations Tane Webster was running for a seat in the New Plymouth District Council (NPDC). Other NPDC candidates including Murray Chong, sitting councillor Anneka Carlson, Monica Hylton, and Caro McKee have taken part in anti-vaccination and anti-lockdown protests but claimed they were not affiliated with Voices for Freedom. [49]

On 26 August, Hamilton mayoral candidate and NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party co-leader Donna Pokere-Phillips denied that she was linked to Voices for Freedom. Pokere-Phillips had previously shared anti-COVID vaccination content on social media and appeared on the anti-vaccination platform Counterspin Media. In addition, Pokere-Phillips has opposed the Government's Three Waters reform programme. [50]

On 27 August, Stuff reported that the Nelson City Council candidate Zoe Byrne had links to Voices for Freedom. Byrne had delivered newsletters for the group and spoke at their Resilience Festival in Richmond's A&P Showgrounds on 20 August. Byrne is also affiliated with a local election ticket body called the Nelson Citizens' Alliance, which has opposed the Government's Three Waters reform programme and the establishment of a Māori ward on the Nelson City Council. In June 2022, VFF had endorsed the Nelson Citizens' Alliance in a newsletter. In response, Nelson Citizens' Alliance spokesperson Peter Rait stated that he was unaware of Byrne's affiliation with VFF. [51]

On 28 August, Stuff reported that several Groundswell NZ activists including Whangārei convenor Tracy Thomasson and James Wolfen Duvall were also members of Voices for Freedom. Thomasson ran as a candidate for the Whangārei District Council and had also shared social media posts expressing anti-vaccination sentiment, promoting the far right group Counterspin Media, and supporting the anti-vaccine protesters' occupation of Parliament. Duvall also ran for the Golden Bay ward of the Tasman District Council. In response, Groundswell's co-founder Bryan McKenzie stated that these individuals did not represent Groundswell's values and added that Groundswell had severed ties with Thomasson. [52]

In mid-September 2022, Stuff reported that Voices for Freedom had enlisted former Green Party candidate and public relations practitioner Natalie Cutler-Welsh to coach their candidates about election campaigning, handling social media, messaging and handling journalists. In addition, co-found Deeks confirmed that she had recruited Canadian-New Zealander Cutler-Welsh to run online seminars on communications and managing online and social media behaviour. [53]

On 21 September, Taupō District Council candidate Duncan Campbell acknowledged that he supported Voices for Freedom's positions and had attended their meetings. [54]

In early October 2022, Voices for Freedom published a candidate survey listing candidates who shared its views on opposing lockdowns, vaccine mandates and the Three Waters reform programme. [55] [56] The group also launched an advertising campaign to counter the New Plymouth District Council's anti-disinformation advertising campaign. [57]

Following the release of preliminary local election results on 8 October, Stuff reported that fewer than twelve Voices of Freedom–affiliated candidates had been elected to local government positions. The VFF had fielded over 200 candidates who were contesting 159 races. Notable successful pro-VFF candidates have included Southland District Council member Jaspreet Bosparai, Teviot Community Board member Gill Booth, Deputy Mayor of Whanganui Jenny Duncan, Paraparaumu/Raumati Community board member Jonny Best, Waikato Regional Council member Clyde Graf, Selwyn District Council member Elizabeth Mundt, Hibiscus and Bays Local Board member Leanne Willis, Oraka Aparima community board member Emma Gould, and Taupo District Council member Duncan Campbell. In addition, several incumbent councillors who had expressed support for VFF's views including Carterton District Council member Jill Greathead and Gisborne District Council member Meredith Akuhata-Brown were defeated. [58]

Notes and references

  1. ↑ "Parliament protest: Questions remain on source of donations and where they went". RNZ. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  2. 1 2 "View All Details". app.companiesoffice.govt.nz. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Frequently asked questions". Voices for Freedom. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 Satherley, Dan (29 July 2021). "Anti-vaccination group Voices for Freedom booted off Facebook for spreading COVID-19 misinformation". Newshub . Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  5. ↑ NZ Skeptics Society (22 November 2021). "NZ Skeptics Announce Their 2021 Awards, And Dr Simon Thornley Wins The Bent Spoon". Scoop. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 Chapman, Madeleine (14 July 2022). "Please stop interviewing Voices for Freedom leaders". The Spinoff . Archived from the original on 24 July 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 Fight Against Conspiracy Theories (12 July 2022). "New Subset Of Voices For Freedom, Nurses For Freedom, Runs Media Campaign". Scoop. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  8. ↑ "About Us". Voices for Freedom. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Cleave, Louisa; Penford, Paula (15 August 2022). "Anti-vax group wanting to make NZ 'ungovernable' targets local body elections". Stuff . Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  10. ↑ Tim Brown (14 March 2022). "Parliament protest: Questions remain on source of donations and where they went". RNZ.
  11. 1 2 Satherley, Dan (29 April 2021). "Coronavirus: Every claim about COVID-19 made by anti-lockdown group Voices for Freedom debunked by scientists". Newshub . Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  12. ↑ Cann, Geraden. "Major printing company linked to Covid disinformation magazine". Stuff. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  13. ↑ Fisher, David (12 March 2021). "The Real News: Who is really behind the Covid-19 conspiracy magazine being dropped into 60,000 letterboxes". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  14. 1 2 Pearse, Adam (13 May 2021). "Covid 19 coronavirus: Vaccine conspiracy campaign raises $50,000 for 'misleading' flyer drop". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  15. ↑ Cann, Geraden. "Pharmacy Council issues warning after Auckland chemist displays Covid-19 misinformation". Stuff. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  16. ↑ Pearse, Adam (3 August 2021). "Covid 19 coronavirus: Anti-vax group Voices For Freedom advertising removed from Auckland billboards". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  17. ↑ Sowman-Lund, Stewart (3 August 2021). "Anti-vax group's 'free speech' billboards pulled from RNZ building". The Spinoff . Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  18. ↑ Swift, Molly (28 April 2022). "Voices For Freedom billboards taken down after Advertising Standards Authority deems them 'misleading and irresponsible'". Newshub . Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  19. ↑ Mayron, Sapeer (27 May 2022). "Covid-19: Voices For Freedom billboards must be pulled, authority rules". Stuff . Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  20. ↑ Cleave, Louisa (August 2022). "Susan joins Voices for Freedom". Stuff . Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  21. 1 2 3 Greive, Duncan (7 March 2023). "There's now Voices for Freedom online radio for people who find The Platform too woke". The Spinoff . Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  22. 1 2 3 4 Mitchell, Charlie (31 March 2023). "' RIP woke media': An examination of Voices for Freedom's web radio channel". Stuff . Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  23. ↑ "Shareholdings". New Zealand Companies Office . Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  24. ↑ McConnell, Glenn (27 February 2024). "The fringe radio station that chats with ministers and conspiracy theorists alike". Studd . Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  25. ↑ Currie, Shayne (9 April 2024). "Fringe station Reality Check Radio off air - Peter Williams PR video calls for donations". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  26. ↑ Daalder, Mark (12 February 2021). "Magic Talk's Peter Williams gives shout-out to anti-vaxxers". Newsroom . Newsroom. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  27. 1 2 "Open Letter to Covid Plan B" . Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  28. ↑ Thornley, Simon (31 March 2020). "Do the consequences of this lockdown really match the threat?". Stuff . Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  29. ↑ Meier, Cecile (17 March 2021). "Anti-lockdown group of academics criticised for promoting conspiracy theorists". stuff. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  30. ↑ Roberts, Nadine (20 October 2022). "Voices for Freedom hijacks farmers' protest". Stuff . Archived from the original on 21 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  31. ↑ "Why were so many Voices for Freedom people at a farming protest?". Stuff . 22 October 2022. Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  32. ↑ Smith, Courtney (8 November 2021). "Students unimpressed by protest, messages". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  33. ↑ Girao, Luisa (9 November 2021). "Invercargill protest 'a march for our rights'". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  34. ↑ Harding, Evan (9 November 2021). "'Freedom of choice' protestors march in Invercargill". Stuff . Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  35. ↑ Pearse, Adam (10 December 2021). "Covid 19 Delta outbreak: Anti-mandate protest under way heads to Government House". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  36. ↑ "National Party MP Harete Hipango attends second anti-lockdown and mandate protest". The New Zealand Herald . 8 January 2022. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022.
  37. ↑ "National Party MP attends second anti-lockdown and mandate protest". Radio New Zealand . 8 January 2022. Archived from the original on 8 January 2022.
  38. ↑ "Whanganui MP Harete Hipango posts support for Voices for Freedom protest". Stuff . 8 January 2022. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022.
  39. ↑ "New Zealand right-wing, pseudo-lefts urge government to "engage" with far-right protesters". World Socialist Web Site . 17 February 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  40. ↑ McConnell, Glenn (16 February 2022). "Who is who at the Convoy 2022 occupation of Parliament's grounds". Stuff . Archived from the original on 8 June 2022.
  41. ↑ "Abuse shouted at Ardern by anti-mandate protesters in Westport". 1 News . 23 February 2022. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  42. ↑ Rankin, Janine; Blackwell, Adam (3 November 2021). "Crowd seeking vaccine exemptions turned away after event cancelled". Stuff . Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  43. ↑ Vance, Andrea (18 August 2022). "The Covid-19 conspiracy theorists targeting Northland's local elections". Stuff . Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  44. ↑ Niall, Todd (7 September 2022). "Auckland councillors unaware of Voices for Freedom link in meeting they addressed". Stuff . Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  45. 1 2 Corlett, Eva (16 August 2022). "New Zealand anti-vax group urges supporters to stand for councils and 'throw weight around'". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  46. 1 2 Hudson, Daisy (17 August 2022). "Concern candidates not being upfront". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  47. ↑ Porter, Nadine (16 August 2022). "Five candidates with links to anti-vaccination group standing for city council". Stuff . Archived from the original on 6 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  48. ↑ Pearse, Adam (18 August 2022). "Voices For Freedom pushing followers to apply for key general election roles". The New Zealand Herald . Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  49. ↑ McLean, Glenn (22 August 2022). "Operations head of anti-vax group Voices For Freedom standing for New Plymouth District Council". Taranaki Daily News . Stuff. Archived from the original on 2 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  50. ↑ Morunga, Adam (26 August 2022). "Hamilton City Council mayoral candidate denies affiliations to Voices for Freedom movement". Radio New Zealand . Archived from the original on 19 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  51. ↑ Ridout, Amy (27 August 2022). "Nelson council candidates' links to disinformation and conspiracy". Stuff . Archived from the original on 2 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  52. ↑ Vance, Andrea; Hoyle, Craig; Ridout, Amy (28 August 2022). "The conspiracy theorists Groundswell is trying to weed out". Stuff . Archived from the original on 1 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  53. ↑ Vance, Andrea (12 September 2022). "'Up your brave': A former Green Party candidate is training Voices for Freedom council hopefuls". Stuff . Archived from the original on 14 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  54. ↑ Martin, Matthew (21 September 2022). "Taupō council candidate backs Voices For Freedom after initially not revealing stance". Stuff . Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  55. ↑ "VFF's Guide to Voting 2022". Voices for Freedom. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  56. ↑ "LBE Candidates - VFF Survey" (PDF). Voices for Freedom. 8 October 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  57. ↑ McLean, Glenn (4 October 2022). "Voices For Freedom counters New Plymoth District Council's election campaign". Taranaki Daily News . Stuff. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  58. ↑ Vance, Andrea; Mitchell, Charlie (9 October 2022). "Fewer than a dozen 'disinformation' candidates elected to councils". Radio New Zealand . Retrieved 12 October 2022.

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William Desmond Te Kahika Jr, also known as Billy TK Jr, is a New Zealand conspiracy theorist, blues musician and former political candidate. During the 2020 New Zealand general election, Te Kahika attracted media coverage both as the leader of the fringe New Zealand Public Party and for his promulgation of conspiracy theories. Te Kahika and the Public Party opposed the New Zealand Government's lockdown restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">COVID-19 vaccination in New Zealand</span> Ongoing COVID-19 vaccine programme in New Zealand

COVID-19 vaccination in New Zealand began on 20 February 2021, and will continue throughout the pandemic with the goal of vaccinating all willing New Zealanders aged 5 or older. Those aged 5 to 11 require a parent, caregiver or legal guardian accompany them to their appointment and provide consent for them to be vaccinated. As of 1 September, anyone in New Zealand, regardless of their immigration status, is eligible to be vaccinated.

Claire Ann Deeks is a New Zealand anti-vaccine activist who has challenged the government's response to COVID-19. She was an unsuccessful candidate for the Advance NZ party in the 2020 general election, and set up the group Voices for Freedom (VFF), which distributed pamphlets that have been criticised by experts as containing COVID-19 misinformation about vaccines, lockdown and the wearing of masks. As a food blogger, Deeks promoted the paleo diet and "healthy" lunchboxes for children, and developed a petition to stop the rating system for foods used by the NZ and Australian governments. She is a former intellectual property lawyer.

Groundswell NZ is a farming advocacy group in New Zealand that was formed to oppose the New Zealand Government's National Policy Statement on Freshwater. The group has also sought to oppose or revise freshwater, indigenous biodiversity, climate change, pastoral land reform policies, and the Three Waters reform programme affecting farmers and rural communities On 16 July 2021, Groundswell NZ staged a nationwide Howl of a Protest campaign in between 47 and 57 cities and towns throughout New Zealand to protest what they regarded as "increasing Government interference, unworkable regulations, and unjustified costs" on the rural sector. On 21 November 2021, Groundswell NZ held a second series of nationwide protests known as the Mother of All Protests.

Simon James Thornley is a New Zealand medical doctor and academic specialising in epidemiology and biostatistics, and as of 2021 is a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sue Grey (lawyer)</span> New Zealand lawyer and anti-vaccination conspiracy activist

Susan Jane Grey is a political figure, conspiracy theorist, and environmental lawyer in Nelson, New Zealand. She is the co-leader of the NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party and of Freedoms NZ. She is known for promoting medicinal cannabis rights and opposing COVID-19 vaccination, 5G technology, and the use of 1080, frequently sharing misinformation on social media about the effectiveness of COVID vaccination.

The Mother of All Protests was a series of nationwide protests in New Zealand on 21 November 2021, organised by the farming advocacy group Groundswell NZ to oppose the government's rural sector regulations and policies. Protests took place in 70 cities and towns across New Zealand. Due to controversy around racist signage in the previous Howl of a Protest campaign, Groundswell issued a list of approved messages for participants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Wellington protest</span> Protests, occupations and riots in New Zealand

The 2022 Wellington protest was an anti-mandate and anti-lockdown occupation of the grounds of Parliament House and Molesworth Street in Central Wellington during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The occupation spring boarded off the New Zealand Convoy 2022, a mass convoy of vehicles that made its way from the top of the North Island and the bottom of the South Island to Parliament starting on Waitangi Day and arriving three days later on 9 February. The occupation lasted just over three weeks. At its peak, the protest spread over a large area of Thorndon and into Pipitea with approximately 1,000 participants. Protesters blockaded areas around the parliamentary grounds with their vehicles and occupied the lawn and surrounding areas in tents. Some associated with the protests harassed bystanders, and disrupted local businesses. The protest was forcibly ended by police on 2 March 2022, and the protesters had none of their demands met by the Government.

<i>Counterspin Media</i>

Counterspin Media is a far-right, anti-vaccine, and conspiracy theorist New Zealand online media platform that was founded in May 2021.

DemocracyNZ was a political party in New Zealand. The party was established and led by former National Party MP Matt King following the anti-vaccination occupation at parliament. The party claimed to be centrist and stand for democracy, equality, and unity for New Zealanders. Its public statements were focused on opposition to New Zealand's pandemic response and to climate change regulations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Freedoms & Rights Coalition</span> Group opposed to COVID-19 mandates in New Zealand

The Freedoms & Rights Coalition (TFRC) is a self-described "people's movement" founded by Destiny Church founder and leader Bishop Brian Tamaki in 2021 to oppose the New Zealand Government's COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and vaccine mandates. The group organised protests in Auckland and across New Zealand. In mid-July 2022, the Coalition launched a second wave of protests against the Labour Government, whom they accused of incompetence and contributing to the country's socio-economic problems and shortages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Disinformation Project</span> Misinformation research group in New Zealand

The Disinformation Project was a research group studying the effects of disinformation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand. The research group was established in 2020 to combat disinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic but subsequently expanded its scope to cover other "conspiracy theory beliefs" including anti-vaccine, climate change denial, anti-immigration, the anti-gender movement, anti-Māori racism and hatred towards the LGBTQ+ community. The Disinformation Project also took an interest in monitoring neo-Nazism, far right activism, antisemitism and Islamophobia.

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