Right wing group to join Justice for Moko protest

Vaughan Tocker, Masterton-based Right Wing Resistance lieutenant-general and national director for Australia and New Zealand. Photo / File

A protest organiser in Masterton has welcomed uniformed members of a white pride group wanting to march in the town against child abuse.

Mother-of-five Liz Rikiti and Amanda Dette have arranged a Justice for Moko march in Masterton on Monday June 27, the same day as the Rotorua High Court sentencing of Tania Shailer and David William Haerewa, a couple who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Moko Rangitoheriri, a 3-year-old in their care tortured to death over a two-month period.

Masterton scrap worker Vaughan Tocker, who heads the Right Wing Resistance in Australia and New Zealand and claims to hold the rank of lieutenant-general, said his group planned to stand shoulder to shoulder with child abuse protestors later this month and march against child abuse - as well as "Islamisation".

Mr Tocker and his group dresses in black military outfits and has called for bans on state asset sales, the Trans Pacific Partnership, Muslim immigrants and Chinese investment in New Zealand.

Mrs Rikiti said organisers had encouraged parents to bring their children to march "because it won't be a big, aggressive protest that could get mouthy or anything" and remained unbowed despite online outrage which rose swiftly after the RWR announced it planned to join the protest.

"We could lose people but it is an open, public event. Their group sounds quite outspoken but on the day we don't want to have our focus taken over," she said.

"The more people the better but it's got to be safe and can't start turning in to anything other than that. It is a public event and our main goal is to get awareness of child abuse out there.

"We're definitely not saying they can't join because this is for all of us. As long as they leave prejudice out of it and others put aside their personal opinions, everybody should be all right."

She was happy to talk with Mr Tocker about ensuring an effective and unified protest and said RWR members were free to wear their uniforms while marching.

"What they want to wear is a huge part of them, and who they are. Which is the same for all of us. Rotorua has Mongrel Mob coming from all over New Zealand to march with them and on that day they wear what they want.

"So I'm pretty sure we can."

Gabrielle Connor posted to the Wairarapa Times-Age Facebook page that Mr Tocker and his group "represent nothing but hate".

"You are marching for all the wrong reasons."

Debbie Carmen wrote the RWR was "using Moko, his death, and the protest march against his death as a public relations exercise. Despicable".