White rage finds outlet in alt-right

Extremist movement takes root in NZ with plans for online targeting of politicians during election campaign

Supporters of a fledgling Kiwi alt-right movement aim to target high-profile politicians with online attacks during the election campaign. The group — an amorphous mix of white nationalists, anti-feminists and online trolls — believe they can influence the election through the use of viral images or “memes”, in a tactic copied from last year’s presidential race in the United States.

Without a local far-right candidate to support, many in the movement plan to “help” New Zealand First — including trying to influence the party from the inside — something leader Winston Peters said he knows nothing about.

“If that was true then why haven’t I heard about it?” Peters said. “I have no idea who or what you’re talking about. I’ve never heard of them and I’ve had no contact with them.”

The term alt-right became mainstream last year, in the midst of Donald Trump’s election, Brexit, and the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe.

A rebranding of white nationalism, the group has deep roots in the anonymous online message board 4chan, as well as members from men’s rights groups, the gaming community and older neo-Nazi movements.

The Herald spent three months watching the tiny New Zealand faction, finding adherents were mainly young, educated, male and angry — largely at a perceived loss of privilege among their demographic.

They identify as nationalist or fascist, with a strong anti-Islam sentiment running through their various online hang-out sites, such as 4chan, and various overlapping Facebook groups — the largest with about 400 members.

They infest blogs with their . . . conspiracy theories. Sociologist and author Scott Hamilton

In one such hang-out in March, 4chan users discussed the “power” of memes, and identified five people to “target” — Labour leader Andrew Little, Prime Minister Bill English, Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett, talkback host Mike Hosking and Race Relations Commissioner Susan Devoy.

They also discussed a counterstrategy. “We need to start influencing NZ First both directly and through Young NZ First,” one wrote. “We need to push Winnie standing on his own feet and saying he will not form a coalition.”

In late March, a group purporting to be white supremacists piqued national interest after plastering the University of Auckland with “white lives matter” posters.

They were later linked to a group named the “Western Guard”.

The incident followed controversy about a “European” student group on campus earlier that month.

At the time Massey University demographer Professor Paul Spoonley said he didn’t think white nationalism was anything to worry about in New Zealand.

“I’ve had a good look at both groups, and I’m not sure there’s many people involved.”

Sociologist and author Scott Hamilton said the rise of the alt-right here followed similar movements in Canada and Australia since Trump’s election, where factions are called “proud boys” and “dingoes”.

Hamilton said it was a “tricky” topic because while it was important not to exaggerate the group’s presence, they were an unpleasant influence, particularly on the internet.

“Their influence is strongest online. They infest blogs with their jargon and their little codes and their conspiracy theories,” he said.

“I don’t know if they could actually organise things on the ground.”

University of Canterbury doctoral student Ben Elley, who is doing his thesis on the alt-right, said there was a growing number of self-declared disfranchised in New Zealand ready to believe the group’s message.

“There’s a lot going on with this particular subject and it’s definitely starting to spill over into New Zealand,” Elley said.

“Although I doubt it’ll have any influence on the coming election.”

Neither Labour nor the Greens wanted to comment on the group’s plans about “targeting” politicians.