Maori government's heavies declare war

By JAMES GARDINER

A Maori group has declared war on the Government and its armed military wing claims to be preparing to attack or destroy a high-profile target.

If you missed the outbreak of war - three weeks ago - you were not alone. It occurred during a minor traffic hearing at the Auckland District Court.

But police and security services are taking the threat seriously. The Armed Intervention Force (NZAIF), as the military wing is known, has featured in several news reports since forming in 1996.

The latest, in April, saw its leader showing off a restricted-licence M14 semi-automatic rifle on a television current affairs show.

Police were aware of the war declaration, had done threat assessment analysis of NZAIF and the Maori Government of Aotearoa and were "monitoring the situation", Sarah Martin, of Police Commissioner Rob Robinson's office, said this week.

"Police do take this seriously."

The Maori Government, which is linked with the Confederation of United Tribes, has previously hit the headlines for issuing its own passports, work permits and driver's licences.

The passports did not save up to 50 Thais seeking refugee status. They were sent home after their asylum claims were rejected last November.

On June 28, about a dozen supporters and members of the Maori Government entered the public gallery of courtroom 6, where Steve Tarrant of Royal Oak, Auckland, had been called over an infringement notice for driving without an appropriate licence.

Mr Tarrant told the Weekend Herald this week that he had sworn allegiance to the Maori Government and did not recognise the authority of the New Zealand judicial system. He went to court only because the Maori Government advised him to, and demanded a hearing.

After discussion with court officials and police, Maori Government spokesman Graham Fain handed over a written declaration of war and the group, with Mr Tarrant, left the court.

The war declaration was passed to court security staff and forwarded to Wellington.

It has been posted on the NZAIF website (www.nzaif.com), where the force talks of using "all means necessary" to take over when instructed by the Maori Government. The site also explains why the Maori Government believes it is legitimate and the "Colonial Government" is not.

The NZAIF, led by former Army soldier and mercenary Kelvyn Alp, has confirmed this week that it is preparing for an operation of some kind - and indicated the target will attract national attention.

After the force was formed, an advertisement calling for former military personnel was placed in the Herald. In July 2000, a member of the group appeared in court on firearms charges, flanked by up to 10 armed police.

A month later, Mr Alp, who goes by the codename Raven 1, told Investigate magazine the force had bought MP5 sub-Machineguns, grenade launchers, rocket launchers and more than 100 military assault rifles. It had about 120 members at the time.

In emails to the Weekend Herald this week, NZAIF spokesman Lieutenant John Maddox said the war declaration was because the Government was unlawful and illegal, "a private entity that is bankrupt ... controlled by foreign powers".

He refused to discuss the size of the force, the weapons at its disposal, likely targets or timing of its planned missions. The aim was "zero per cent" civilian casualties.

Courts Department spokeswoman Alison Welch confirmed that the declaration had been received by the Auckland registrar and passed on to head office.

"They delivered a declaration of war that was put on the prosecution's desk. The court was adjourned, they then left and the court was reconvened, so it's quite a peaceful protest."

Ms Welch refused to say who the defendant was or what charges he faced but court staff later said Mr Tarrant's case was due to be heard next month.

Mr Fain repeatedly warned the Weekend Herald to report him accurately without any "massaging of the words" or sensationalism.

"If you manipulate it, prepare to be arrested. You will definitely be arrested. Make no mistake about that."