Soldier's arrest raises concerns far-right could infiltrate Defence Force
Charlotte Cook, Journalist
A soldier has been arrested at Linton Military camp, amid suspicion they are part of a far-right extremist group.
Photo: NZDF / Supplied
The Defence Force has yet to confirm what, if any charges the soldier is facing.
But the arrest has raised concerns far-right groups could be infiltrating New Zealand's military.
The extremist, Christian body-building group, Wargus Christi had claimed online that the arrested soldier was part of
their organisation.
In an internet chat room, members spoke about how the man was removed from the group after news of an investigation.
Another hoped their 'brother' was going to be okay.
A Defence Force spokesperson confirmed the arrest.
"There was a cordon in place in part of the Linton Housing Area attached to Linton Military Camp on Friday. New Zealand
police executed a search warrant and one soldier was taken into military custody. "
They said no further details were able to be released because of an ongoing criminal investigation with police.
RNZ was told there would be one-on-one monitoring of the soldier at all times.
Activist group Auckland Peace Action said infiltration through defence and police forces was a common and proven tactic
for right wing groups.
A spokesperson, Valerie Morse said the military could be a breeding ground for anti-muslim behaviour.
"The whole mindset of the military has effectively been about criminalising muslims for at least the last 20 years. And
so we shouldn't be surprised then that this is the kind of ideology, this is acceptable ideology within the New Zealand
Defence Force," she said.
It was alarming the Wargus Christi's ethos of blood, honour and brotherhood could be permeating New Zealand's military,
Morse said.
Massey University's Paul Spoonley is a Professor in the far-right and anti-Semitic movement - he said he had seen people
in the armed forces with an online presence, but believed the numbers were limited.
"There appear to be people who are in the Defence Force who contribute to online discussions.
"I've certainly been concerned through this year at some of the comments that I've seen which appear to come from
Defence Force personnel which are really very anti-muslim, and anti-semitic."
The Defence Force attracted people who were interested in far-right ideals, Spoonley said.
"I think there's a bit of an issue that the Defence Force tends to attract people who might be sympathetic to those
views but the Defence Force itself have been working very hard to make sure that they are not a recruiting ground or a
breeding ground for far-right extremist."
He said Wargus Christi's focus on bodybuilding was connected to their alt-right, white western, anti-Semitic views.
"This thing about body-building about keeping the body pure for the fight that's about the come it appears at first
instance to be something about making your body stronger and better.
"But then the reasons for that are because you want to be able to fight the fight when it then comes and you want to be
able to fight against the people that are out to destroy your society," he said.
Minister of Defence Ron Mark would not confirm if the soldier who is in custody was on their radar.
"What I take strength and confidence in is that this has happened and the military, are clearly very observant, doing
their job.
"I'd like to think that any government department has the security and interests of this nation at heart would be
monitoring itself as well."
It was unclear if the man would go through the judicial system, or the military court martial process.