Kyle Chapman (New Zealand activist)

Kyle Chapman (born 27 April 1971) is a New Zealand political activist, the former national director of the New Zealand National Front (NZNF), a white nationalist political party. He has stood unsuccessfully three times for the Christchurch mayoralty, first for the National Front and then for the National Democrats Party.

This article is about the New Zealand far-right activist. For the American far-right activist, see Kyle Chapman (American activist).

Kyle Chapman
Born (1971-04-27) 27 April 1971
Taumarunui, New Zealand
OccupationActivist
Political party
Spouse(s)
Claire Clifford
​
​
(m. 2009; div. 2009)​

Personal life

Chapman was born in Taumarunui, New Zealand. He was the founding member of the New Zealand Hammerskins.

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]

He was convicted of fire-bombing a marae during the late 1980s and early 1990s.[1][5][6] He has admitted to hurling Molotov cocktails at various buildings, including Ngāi Tahu Murihiku Marae and a school.[7]

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.[8]

Right Wing Resistance

Chapman founded the Right Wing Resistance, a neo-Nazi right-wing group,[9] 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.[10] 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 behavior. Its street patrols included from 5 to 15 members, who had shaved heads.[11] Also in October 2009, Chapman organized a rally at the Wellington cenotaph.[2]

The group attempted to recruit further members in Auckland.[12] Press coverage resulted from distributions of flyers comparing immigration to an invasion, which were called "despicable" by the Race Relations Commissioner.[13][14] It also helped organise protests and other street activities alongside the National Front.[15]

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.[16]

Survive Club

Chapman founded and led the Survive Club, a survivalist group that denied being a militia and denies any racist ties despite the histories of some of its members.[17][18]

European-only community plans

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.[19]

Running for offices

In 2004, he unsuccessfully contested the mayoralty of Christchurch, New Zealand, placing 5th out of 10 with 1.9 percent of the vote (1665 votes).

In 2005, he was the tenth-ranked list candidate for the Direct Democracy Party.[20] 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.[21]

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.[22]

2004 Christchurch mayoral election[23][24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Christchurch 2021 Garry Moore 61,170 69.70 +27.15
Independent Aaron Keown 11,476 13.08 +9.09
Independent Jamie Gough 7,200 8.20
Independent Bob Nimmo 2,378 2.71
National Front Kyle Chapman 1,665 1.90
Independent Paul Telfer 1,560 1.78 +1.51
Independent Blair Anderson 823 0.94
Anti-Capitalist Alliance Sam Kingi 719 0.82
Communist League Annalucia Vermunt 395 0.45 +0.12
Independent Michael Hansen 372 0.42 +0.24
Informal votes 255
Rejected ballots 3,344 3.67
Majority 49,694 56.63
Turnout 91,102 38.61 -9.71
2007 Christchurch mayoral election[25][26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Bob Parker 47,033 45.44
Christchurch 2021 Megan Woods 32,821 31.71
Christchurch City Vision Jo Giles 14,454 13.96
Independent Mark Ross 4,505 4.35
Independent Peter Wakeman 1,868 1.80
Independent Blair Anderson 898 0.87 -0.07
Workers Party Byron Clark 720 0.70
National Front Kyle Chapman 680 0.66 -1.24
Independent Paul Telfer 295 0.29 -1.49
Independent Michael Hansen 228 0.22 -0.20
Informal votes 229 0.22 -0.06
Rejected ballots 1,544 1.47 -2.20
Majority 14,212 13.73 -42.90
2013 Christchurch mayoral election[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
One City Together Lianne Dalziel 72,600 71.26
Independent Paul Lonsdale 22,855 22.43
Independent Victor Cattermole 1,025 1.01
Hugo Kristinsson 988 0.97
Independent Rik Tindall 880 0.86 -0.15
Independent Brad Maxwell 819 0.80 +0.00
Independent Sammy Harris 585 0.57
The Resistance Party Kyle Chapman 503 0.49
Another Mildgreen Initiative Blair Anderson 480 0.47 -0.19
Independent Robin McCarthy 396 0.39
Independent Peter Wakeman 391 0.38 +0.17
Economic Euthenics Michael Hansen 364 0.36 +0.23
Informal votes 201 0.19
Rejected ballots 1,364 1.32
Majority 49,745 48.82
Turnout 103,250

Reactions to the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings

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.[28] 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".[29]

References
  1. "National Front's ex-leader marries Mormon". Waikato Times. 2 May 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  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). Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  5. Hume, Tim (25 October 2009). "Far-right leader Kyle Chapman returns". Stuff (company). Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  6. Mead, Thomas (20 August 2013). "Chch mayoral race – who are the candidates?". 3News Online. MediaWorks TV. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  7. Wall, Tony (9 May 2004). "A picture of white supremacy". Sunday Star Times. p. A11.
  8. "New Zealand news on Stuff.co.nz".
  9. Muir, Nickie (5 February 2014). "Nickie Muir: Proving just so hard to resist". Northern Advocate. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  10. Ian Steward (26 October 2009). "Right wing vigilantes on patrol in Christchurch". Stuff (company). Fairfax New Zealand. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  11. STEWARD, IAN (26 October 2009). "Right-wing vigilantes on patrol in Christchurch". The Press. Christchurch.
  12. "Anti-Asian group says campaign is to recruit members". TV New Zealand. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  13. 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.
  14. "Right-wing group investigated for 'Asian invasion' flyer". 3 News. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  15. Tim Hume (25 October 2009). "Far-right leader Kyle Chapman returns". Stuff (company). Fairfax New Zealand. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  16. CHARLIE GATES (23 November 2011). "'Guerrillas' in camo gear 'spoil' meeting". Stuff (company). Fairfax New Zealand. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  17. "Survive Club New Zealand". Archived from the original on 27 February 2009.
  18. "Rational survivalists, or racial supremacists?". 3news.co.nz. 27 August 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  19. "Whites-only "mini-state" condemned". Television New Zealand. 22 January 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  21. "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.
  22. "Home".
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. 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.
  27. Sullivan, Clare (17 October 2013). "2013 Triennial Elections : Declaration of Results" (PDF). Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  28. "Far right groups dispersing after mosque attacks – ex-leader Kyle Chapman". RNZ. 27 March 2019.
  29. Hannah, Kate (29 March 2019). "Don't be fooled, far right groups have not been silenced". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
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