Kyle Chapman (New Zealand activist)

Last updated

Kyle Chapman
KyleChapman2023.jpg
Kyle Chapman in 2023
Born
Taumarunui, New Zealand
OccupationActivist
Political party
Spouse
Claire Clifford
​
​
(m. 2009;div. 2009)​

Kyle Chapman is a New Zealand far-right political activist and the former national director of the white nationalist New Zealand National Front (NZNF). He has stood unsuccessfully three times for the Christchurch mayoralty: first for the NZNF (2004); then for the National Democrats Party (2007); and then for the Resistance Party (2013).

Contents

Chapman founded Right Wing Resistance, a neo-Nazi group, in 2009. He said in March 2019 that he was no longer interested in such politics, and was focused on his family and spirituality, however Chapman has since been tied to the resurgence of the neo-Nazi movement.

Personal life

Chapman was born in Taumarunui, New Zealand.[ citation needed ]

In May 2009 Chapman married Claire Clifford, a Mormon, [1] but they separated in October of the same year; Chapman had vowed to give up his far-right activities but Claire ended the relationship when he did not. [2] [3] [4]

Activities

Chapman was the founding member of the New Zealand Hammerskins. [5]

He was convicted of fire-bombing a marae during the late 1980s and early 1990s. [1] [6] [7] He admitted to hurling Molotov cocktails at various buildings, including Ngāi Tahu Murihiku Marae and a school. [8]

In January 2009 an email was sent out concerning Chapman's plans to create a European culture "protected community" in North Canterbury. The email stated that his intention was to "build a unified mini state that we could build up in future to be a base for other like minded Europeans to come to from other dying countries". The email claimed the compound would have a school, accommodation, a meeting house for leaders, and a training area for sport fighting and survival training. [9]

Running for offices

In 2004, he unsuccessfully contested the mayoralty of Christchurch, New Zealand, placing 5th out of 10 with 1.9 per cent of the vote (1665 votes).[ citation needed ]

In 2005, he was the tenth-ranked list candidate for the Direct Democracy Party. [10] The party, which only contested the 2005 general election, did not achieve representation.

He unsuccessfully contested the Christchurch mayoralty again in 2007, running this time under the National Democrats ticket. [11]

In 2013, Chapman ran again for the Christchurch mayoralty, but was unsuccessful, securing 499 votes. He also ran for the Ferrymead-Pegasus Local Board, securing 641 votes, but was also unsuccessful there. [12]

Turning his back on politics

After the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings Chapman said he had "fallen out" with others in groups he used to belong in and "turned his back" on them to focus on family and religion. [13] This was disputed by a holocaust historian, who said his statement was "an object lesson in the tactics these groups use to legitimise themselves through media manipulation". [14]

COVID-19 pandemic

On 20 August 2021, Chapman and two other individuals appeared in the Christchurch District Court after they broke COVID-19 lockdown restrictions to protest those restrictions the day before in Christchurch. The three individuals were remanded in custody on charges of failing to comply with restrictions under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020. [15] [16]

2023: Plots against Pride event and arrest

Chapman was involved in 'Room 102', also called the 'Robert Grey Life Centre', a Christchurch-based group of conspiracy theorists and extremists. The group targeted an event where drag queens read stories to children. Ultimately 50 people protested the event, with an equal number of counter-protestors. [17] Chapman has used group's headquarters to hold survivalist workshops and martial art sessions. [18]

On 20 February 2024, Chapman was sentenced to six months' community detention and six months supervision after he plead guilty to unlawful possession of Norinco semi-automatic rifle. This was one of the semi-automatic weapons banned following the Christchurch mosque shootings. He also plead guilty to possession of ammunition and parts for a rifle. [19]

Court documents showed that Chapman had recently met with ex-marines and soldiers in the United States and that he had formed a new survivalist group in North Canterbury. [20]

Organisations

National Front

Chapman is a former leader of the New Zealand National Front, [1] leading the organisation from 1997 to 2005. In 2005, he resigned his role as the leader of the National Front. He said in interviews that his children were being shunned at school due to his activities. He also cited the harassment by left-wing anti-NZNF groups as a factor in his departure. [21]

Right Wing Resistance

In 2009 Chapman founded the Right Wing Resistance, a neo-Nazi group, [22] in Christchurch with a group of white nationalists. Chapman reportedly knighted the members with a sword after they recited a pledge. The group's insignia was a skull over a Wolfsangel, with the notation "NA 14". Its introduction to the New Zealand public was its Christchurch street patrols in October 2009, which appeared to target Polynesian youths. [23] RWR members engaged in street patrols in New Brighton with the stated purpose of preventing vandalism by youth street gangs. The mayor of Christchurch denounced their vigilante behaviour. Its street patrols included from 5 to 15 members, who had shaved heads. [24] Also in October 2009, Chapman organized a rally at the Wellington cenotaph. [2]

The group attempted to recruit further members in Auckland. [25] Press coverage resulted from distributions of flyers comparing immigration to an invasion, which were called "despicable" by the Race Relations Commissioner. [26] [27] It also helped organise protests and other street activities alongside the National Front. [28]

During the 2011 general election campaign, members of the group disrupted a candidate's election meeting in Christchurch appearing in military-style clothing. They stated that they would protest at polling booths throughout New Zealand on election day; however, this did not happen. [29]

After the March 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings Chapman said he was no longer involved with this group. [13]

Right Wing Resistance was reported in November 2019 to have chapters in Australia, Sweden and Scotland. [30] There is an Australian far-right extremist group called Right Wing Resistance Australia, [31] [32] said to have "international connections". [33]

Survive Club

Chapman founded and led the Survive Club, a survivalist group that denied being a militia and having any racist ties despite the histories of some of its members. [34] [35]

Election results

2004 Christchurch mayoral election [36] [37]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Christchurch 2021 Garry Moore 61,17069.70+27.15
Independent Aaron Keown11,47613.08+9.09
Independent Jamie Gough7,2008.20
Independent Bob Nimmo2,3782.71
National Front Kyle Chapman1,6651.90
Independent Paul Telfer1,5601.78+1.51
Independent Blair Anderson8230.94
Anti-Capitalist Alliance Sam Kingi7190.82
Communist League Annalucia Vermunt3950.45+0.12
Independent Michael Hansen3720.42+0.24
Informal votes255
Rejected ballots3,3443.67
Majority49,69456.63
Turnout 91,10238.61-9.71
2007 Christchurch mayoral election [38] [39]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Bob Parker 47,03345.44
Christchurch 2021 Megan Woods 32,82131.71
Christchurch City Vision Jo Giles 14,45413.96
Independent Mark Ross4,5054.35
Independent Peter Wakeman1,8681.80
Independent Blair Anderson8980.87-0.07
Workers Party Byron Clark7200.70
National Front Kyle Chapman6800.66-1.24
Independent Paul Telfer2950.29-1.49
Independent Michael Hansen2280.22-0.20
Informal votes2290.22-0.06
Rejected ballots1,5441.47-2.20
Majority14,21213.73-42.90
2013 Christchurch mayoral election [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
One City Together Lianne Dalziel 72,60071.26
IndependentPaul Lonsdale22,85522.43
IndependentVictor Cattermole1,0251.01
Hugo Kristinsson9880.97
IndependentRik Tindall8800.86-0.15
IndependentBrad Maxwell8190.80+0.00
IndependentSammy Harris5850.57
The Resistance PartyKyle Chapman5030.49
Another Mildgreen InitiativeBlair Anderson4800.47-0.19
IndependentRobin McCarthy3960.39
IndependentPeter Wakeman3910.38+0.17
Economic EuthenicsMichael Hansen3640.36+0.23
Informal votes2010.19
Rejected ballots1,3641.32
Majority49,74548.82
Turnout 103,250

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Goff</span> New Zealand politician

Philip Bruce Goff is a New Zealand politician and diplomat. He currently serves as High Commissioner of New Zealand to the United Kingdom since 2023. He was a member of the New Zealand Parliament from 1981 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 2016. He served as leader of the Labour Party and leader of the Opposition between 11 November 2008 and 13 December 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand Security Intelligence Service</span> National intelligence agency of New Zealand

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service is New Zealand's primary national intelligence agency. It is responsible for providing information and advising on matters including national security and foreign intelligence. It is headquartered in Wellington and overseen by a Director-General, the Minister of New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, and the parliamentary intelligence and security committee; independent oversight is provided by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lianne Dalziel</span> New Zealand politician

Lianne Audrey Dalziel is a New Zealand politician and former Mayor of Christchurch. Prior to this position, she was a member of the New Zealand Parliament for 23 years, serving as Minister of Immigration, Commerce, Minister of Food Safety and Associate Minister of Justice in the Fifth Labour Government. She resigned from Cabinet on 20 February 2004 after apparently lying about a leak of documents to the media, but was reinstated as a Minister following Labour's return to office after the 2005 election. She resigned from Parliament effective 11 October 2013 to contest the Christchurch mayoral election. The incumbent, Bob Parker, decided not to stand again. She was widely regarded as the top favourite and won with a wide margin to become the 46th Mayor of Christchurch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand National Front</span> Political party in New Zealand

The New Zealand National Front was a small white nationalist organisation in New Zealand.

Far-right politics in New Zealand has been present in New Zealand in the form of the organised advocacy of fascist, far-right, neo-Nazi, white supremacist, and anti-Semitic views by various groups, although fascism has never gained a strong foothold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islam in New Zealand</span> Minority religion in the country of New Zealand

Islam in New Zealand is a religious affiliation representing about 1.3% of the total population. Small numbers of Muslim immigrants from South Asia and eastern Europe settled in New Zealand from the early 1900s until the 1960s. Large-scale Muslim immigration began in the 1970s with the arrival of Fiji Indians, followed in the 1990s by refugees from various war-torn countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Minto</span> New Zealand political activist

John Minto is a New Zealand political activist known for his involvement in various left-wing groups and causes, most notably Halt All Racist Tours. A 2005 documentary on New Zealand's Top 100 History Makers listed him as number 89. As of 2011, he is involved with the protest group Global Peace and Justice Auckland and the Unite Union. He also wrote a weekly column for The Press and was formerly editor of the Workers' Charter newspaper.

New Zealand has experienced few terrorist incidents in its short history and the threat is generally regarded as very low. However, the Security Intelligence Service (SIS) has warned against complacency. This article serves as a list and compilation of past acts of terrorism, attempts of terrorism, and other such items pertaining to terrorist activities within New Zealand. Significant acts of terrorism include the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior in 1985, an act of state-sponsored terrorism by France, and the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019, a far-right attack which resulted in 51 deaths and 40 injuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Parker (mayor)</span> 45th Mayor of Christchurch

Sir Robert John Parker is a former New Zealand broadcaster and politician. He served as Mayor of Christchurch from 2007 to 2013.

Kelvyn Glen Alp is a New Zealand far-right politician and activist. During the 1990s, Alp established a paramilitary organisation called the New Zealand Armed Intervention Force. During the 2020s, Alp founded a far-right media platform called Counterspin Media, which played an active role in leading the 2022 Wellington protest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Christchurch mayoral election</span> New Zealand mayoral election

The 2013 Christchurch mayoral election was part of the New Zealand local elections and was won by former MP Lianne Dalziel. The elections were held on 12 October 2013 for the Mayor of Christchurch plus other local government roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Identitäre Bewegung Österreich</span> Austrian far-right organization

Identitäre Bewegung Österreich is an Austrian far-right nationalist and Neue Rechte organization. Inspired by the French Bloc identitaire, it belongs to the pan-European Identitarian movement and is the Austrian branch of the organization known as Generation Identity (GI).

The United Patriots Front (UPF) was an Australian far-right extremist group that opposed immigration, multiculturalism and the religion of Islam. Formed in 2015, the group has been largely dormant since their Facebook page was deleted following the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">True Blue Crew</span> Australian far-right extremist group

The True Blue Crew (TBC) is an Australian far-right extremist group. Members and supporters have been linked to right-wing terrorism and vigilantism, and members have been arrested with weapons and on terrorism-related charges. Experts who have studied the group say it appears to be "committed to violence".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christchurch mosque shootings</span> 2019 terrorist attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand

The Christchurch mosque shootings were two consecutive mass shootings on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand on 15 March 2019. They were committed by Brenton Tarrant who entered both mosques during Friday prayer, firstly at the Al Noor Mosque at 1:40 p.m. and later at the Linwood Islamic Centre at 1:52 p.m.

Far-right politics in Australia describes authoritarian ideologies, including fascism and White supremacy as they manifest in Australia.

There have been several COVID-19 protests in New Zealand held since 2020, where people protested the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, in particular the lockdown measures in place in March–May 2020, August 2020, and August–November 2021 and the later vaccine mandates. Most politicians both within and outside of Government and the vast majority of people have condemned these protests and view them as grandstanding by the organisers, and fear they may have spread the virus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Berry (politician)</span> Politician from New Zealand

Stephen Berry is a perennial candidate in New Zealand national and local politics, running on right-wing positions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Action Zealandia</span> New Zealand white nationalist group

Action Zealandia is a white nationalist group in New Zealand that emerged following the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019 as the successor to an earlier group called the Dominion Movement. According to Newshub, Action Zealandia has restricted its membership to "physically fit, tidy European male[s] of sound mind and good character." In addition to its online activities, the group has plastered stickers, posted banners, and networked with other far-right and neo-Nazi groups in New Zealand and abroad. Action Zealandia has also attracted media attention after members made an online threat against Christchurch's Al Noor Mosque, attempted to start a terror cell, purchase weapons, and participated in the 2022 Wellington protest.

<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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "National Front's ex-leader marries Mormon". Waikato Times . 2 May 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  2. 1 2 AKUHATA, KARLA; HUME, TIM (27 October 2009). "Split for Far Right boss". Waikato Times.
  3. ↑ "Far-Right activist's marriage to devout Mormon finished". The Press. 28 October 2009.
  4. ↑ "Split for Far Right boss". Stuff (company). 26 October 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  5. ↑ Gilbert, Jarrod; Elley, Ben (11 March 2020). "Shaved heads and sonnenrads: comparing white supremacist skinheads and the alt-right in New Zealand". Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online. doi:10.1080/1177083X.2020.1730415.
  6. ↑ Hume, Tim (25 October 2009). "Far-right leader Kyle Chapman returns". Stuff (company) . Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  7. ↑ Mead, Thomas (20 August 2013). "Chch mayoral race – who are the candidates?". 3News Online. MediaWorks TV. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  8. ↑ Wall, Tony (9 May 2004). "A picture of white supremacy". Sunday Star Times. p. A11.
  9. ↑ "Whites-only "mini-state" condemned". Television New Zealand . 22 January 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  10. ↑ "New Zealand, world, sport, business & entertainment news on Stuff.co.nz". www.stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007.
  11. ↑ "The wackiest candidates win our votes". The New Zealand Herald. 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011. Making waves – or possibly up for a salute or three – on the Mainland was Kyle Chapman, former National Front leader standing under the National Democrats banner for Christchurch mayor.
  12. ↑ "Home".
  13. 1 2 "Far right groups dispersing after mosque attacks – ex-leader Kyle Chapman". RNZ. 27 March 2019.
  14. ↑ Hannah, Kate (29 March 2019). "Don't be fooled, far right groups have not been silenced". Radio New Zealand . Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  15. ↑ Lourens, Marine; Sherwood, Sam; McNeilly, Hamish (20 August 2021). "Covid-19: Former far-Right leader to spend weekend behind bars after alleged lockdown breach". Stuff . Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  16. ↑ "Christchurch anti-lockdown activists in court after Bridge of Remembrance protest". The Star . Otago Daily Times. 20 August 2021. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  17. ↑ Roberts, Nadine; Gill, Sinead (22 March 2023). "Secretive underground group behind campaign to stop Pride Week event". Stuff. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  18. ↑ Roberts, Nadine (11 September 2023). "Far right activist arrested on firearms and ammunition charges". Stuff. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  19. ↑ https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/509668/far-right-activist-kyle-chapman-avoids-jail-on-gun-charges
  20. ↑ Roberts, Nadine (16 September 2023). "Former leader of neo-nazi group met ex-soldiers in America prior to arrest on firearms charges". Stuff. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  21. ↑ "New Zealand news on Stuff.co.nz". Archived from the original on 3 July 2007. Retrieved 29 May 2005.
  22. ↑ Muir, Nickie (5 February 2014). "Nickie Muir: Proving just so hard to resist". Northern Advocate. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  23. ↑ Ian Steward (26 October 2009). "Right wing vigilantes on patrol in Christchurch". Stuff (company). Fairfax New Zealand. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  24. ↑ STEWARD, IAN (26 October 2009). "Right-wing vigilantes on patrol in Christchurch". The Press. Christchurch.
  25. ↑ "Anti-Asian group says campaign is to recruit members". TV New Zealand. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  26. ↑ Keith Lynch (12 January 2011). "White supremacist flyers offend". Stuff (company). Fairfax New Zealand. Archived from the original on 13 January 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  27. ↑ "Right-wing group investigated for 'Asian invasion' flyer". 3 News. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  28. ↑ Tim Hume (25 October 2009). "Far-right leader Kyle Chapman returns". Stuff (company). Fairfax New Zealand. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  29. ↑ CHARLIE GATES (23 November 2011). "'Guerrillas' in camo gear 'spoil' meeting". Stuff (company). Fairfax New Zealand. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  30. ↑ "Visitor makes Nazi salute at former deportation centre". VRT NWS: Flanders News. 23 November 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  31. ↑ "Aussies fighting in Ukraine may be charged". 9News. 1 May 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  32. ↑ "Bendigo's anti-mosque protest: United Patriots Front nationalist group behind demonstration". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  33. ↑ Campion, Kristy (20 March 2019). "Right-wing extremism has a long history in Australia". The Conversation . Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  34. ↑ "Survive Club New Zealand". Archived from the original on 27 February 2009.
  35. ↑ "Rational survivalists, or racial supremacists?". 3news.co.nz. 27 August 2008. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  36. ↑ Robertson, Max (20 October 2004). "Declaration of Results of Elections" (PDF). Christchurch City Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  37. ↑ Robertson, Max (20 October 2004). "Report of the Electoral Officer" (PDF). Christchurch City Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 October 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  38. ↑ Robertson, Max (17 October 2007). "2007 Local Government Elections" (PDF). Christchurch City Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  39. ↑ Robertson, Max (18 October 2007). "Report of the Electoral Officer" (PDF). Christchurch City Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  40. ↑ Sullivan, Clare (17 October 2013). "2013 Triennial Elections : Declaration of Results" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.