Anti Bases Campaign Congratulates Methodists For Divesting From Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab no longer pretends to be anything other than an increasingly vital part of that war machine. Recent headlines trumpet that it is ready to "serve the Pentagon" and that it is going to help the US and UK develop hypersonic missiles. More >>
Anti-Bases Campaign Statement Of Solidarity On February 23 Global Day Of Action To Close Bases
Sunday, 23 February 2025, 3:05 pm | Anti Bases Campaign
Develop a genuinely independent foreign policy. More >>
Waihopai Spy Base Protest January 29
Sunday, 23 January 2022, 2:48 pm | Anti Bases Campaign
In light of today's announcement that the whole country is immediately moving into traffic light red status, the Anti-Bases Campaign Committee held an urgent e-mail meeting to decide whether to proceed or not with next Saturday's Waihopai spy base ... More >>
Terrorist Attack Report Confirms Need To Abolish GCSB; Close Waihopai Spy Base; & Get Out Of Five Eyes
Wednesday, 9 December 2020, 2:50 pm | Anti Bases Campaign
One monotonously expressed defence of the Waihopai spy base (operated by the NZ Government Communications Security Bureau - GCSB) is that it defends NZ from terrorists. No, it doesn't. That was dramatically shown on March 15th, 2019, when a fascist ... More >>
What Does "Mother of All Bombs" Have to Do with Christchurch
Monday, 24 April 2017, 8:57 pm | Anti Bases Campaign
What Does "Mother of All Bombs", Dropped on Afghanistan, Have to Do with Christchurch Airport? In the week that the Five Eyes spy bosses are holding their secret meeting in Queenstown, thus reminding us that the Waihopai spy base is NZ's ... More >>
Submission of the ABC to Intelligence and Security Review
Friday, 14 August 2015, 10:25 am | Anti Bases Campaign
Submission of the Anti-Bases Campaign to the Intelligence and Security Review 12 August 2015 1. Preamble More >>
Anti-Bases Campaign Calls For Thorough Intelligence Review
Tuesday, 12 May 2015, 9:02 am | Anti Bases Campaign
It is looking more and more like the Government intends its forthcoming intelligence review to be undertaken with little or no public transparency, according to the Anti Bases Campaign. It is already May and no details have been made available about who ... More >>
Waihopai Spybase Protest Saturday January 24th
Friday, 16 January 2015, 9:55 am | Anti Bases Campaign
People from all around New Zealand will be converging on the super-secret Waihopai satellite interception spybase, in Marlborough, on Saturday January 24th . More >>
John Key Says Yanks Not Spying on Him
Thursday, 31 October 2013, 10:22 am | Anti Bases Campaign
John Key says that he's allowed to wear big boy's pants because New Zealand is a member of The Club (Five Eyes, formally known as the UKUSA Agreement), which he says means that the intelligence agencies of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New ... More >>
Complaint on actions at Waihopai protest upheld by Police
Wednesday, 4 September 2013, 11:32 am | Anti Bases Campaign
NZ Police have now concluded the investigation into your complaint to the IPCA dated 24 January 2013. This complaint related to Police actions at a protest that you were involved in at the Waihopai Base on 19 January 2013. More >>
Bob Leonard, Veteran Anti-Bases Activist, Died Last Week
Tuesday, 20 August 2013, 9:50 am | Anti Bases Campaign
Bob Leonard, founder and leader of the Anti-Bases Campaign (ABC), died on August 13th in Wellington Hospital. He was 74. He's definitely worth an obituary or news report. It's very topical, considering the current furore about the GCSB BIll More >>
Intelligence & Security Committee Is Not A Select Committee
Friday, 12 July 2013, 4:25 pm | Anti Bases Campaign
Some media reporting has referred to the ISC as a Select Committee, as if it is just another Parliamentary Committee. It most assuredly is not. More >>
GCSB:Forget the Clowns, It's Time the Whole Circus Left Town
Monday, 8 April 2013, 9:48 am | Anti Bases Campaign
It has to be admitted that the GCSB sideshow is entertaining (the PM could have a lucrative post-politics career appearing at kids' parties as Amnesio the Clown. Or he and Kim Dotcom could do a great Laurel and Hardy double act). More >>
The Death of Bryan Law
Wednesday, 3 April 2013, 10:13 am | Anti Bases Campaign
ABC is deeply shocked to learn of Bryan Law's death. He was a significant person to us for two reasons. 1/ He was one of the Australian Christian peace activists to enter and occupy the top secret US warfighting spy base at Pine Gap, near Alice ... More >>
Exposed Police Spy & Agent Provocateur Rob Gilchrist
Monday, 11 February 2013, 11:03 am | Anti Bases Campaign
The Anti-Bases Campaign was among the numerous groups spied on by Rob Gilchrist for the Police, who has now filed a damages claim against his former employers for 'mental pain' http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8285326/Police-spy-sues-for-mental-pain ... More >>
Waihopai Spybase Protest Saturday January 19th
Wednesday, 9 January 2013, 1:17 pm | Anti Bases Campaign
People from all around New Zealand will be converging on the super-secret Waihopai satellite interception spybase, in Marlborough, on Saturday January 19th. More >>
Time for NZ to Get Out of UKUSA Spy System
Thursday, 26 July 2012, 3:15 pm | Anti Bases Campaign
Millions of dollars are being squandered by New Zealand on intelligence agencies that produce no discernible benefits for this country, says the Anti-Bases Campaign (ABC). More >>
Peace Researcher Issue # 43
Wednesday, 13 June 2012, 2:58 pm | Anti Bases Campaign
Peace Researcher Issue # 43 May 2012 Manoeuvred Back Into ANZUS: Subversion Of NZ's Independence by Warren Thomson Waihopai Spy Base Protest 2012 by Murray Horton Trying To Make NZ Intelligence Agencies More Accountable: My Efforts In Parliament by Keith ... More >>
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Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
US needs to walk the talk
When new neighbours move in just down the street there is always a frisson of interest in what they are going to be like. Will they fit in well with the neighbourhood? How many people will be coming and going? Will they play loud music at all hours? Wellington, and New Zealand, have this week seen the arrival of someone different enough to get the net curtains twitching and set the tongues clacking. No less than the FBI, the United States' venerable law enforcement and criminal investigation agency, is in town. The first question which might spring to mind is, why would the US's domestic intelligence and security service want to have an office in New Zealand? That might quickly be followed by: what specifically are they going to be doing here? Do we need to be worried? The opening of the permanent legal attache FBI office at the US Embassy and the visit of FBI director Kash Patel were surrounded in secrecy, just as one might expect. Until now, New Zealand's links with the FBI through the Five Eyes intelligence partnership went through its office in Canberra. The new office in the capital has been established to investigate all threats to these countries and this geopolitical region, including cybercrime, terrorism, the narcotics trade and gun-running, child exploitation and money laundering. Mr Patel's visit was exposed when a sharp-eyed Newstalk ZB journalist recognised him in the basement of Parliament. There were other clues too for amateur sleuths — a US Department of Justice aircraft at Wellington Airport and a large group of American officials and New Zealand police gathering outside a downtown hotel. The US Embassy resorted to the old refusal to confirm or deny trick when asked. By the time Mr Patel put out a statement on Thursday afternoon explaining he was here to open the new office, he had already met with Police Minister Mark Mitchell, GCSB and NZSIS Minister Judith Collins, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers. As University of Otago professor of international relations Robert Patman has pointed out, the move to open an FBI branch in New Zealand has its ironies. It may be good news that the US wants to take a larger role in fighting crime around the Pacific, but he says the Trump administration has shown little willingness itself to adhere to the international rules-based order since coming to power and has actually undermined the rule of law with claims to take over Canada and Greenland. More broadly, Mr Patel's visit and announcement also puts New Zealand and its leaders in a potentially difficult position when it comes to relations with China. While they have been extremely cautious making any comment about China, the FBI director was less tight-lipped, saying it would help to counter China's influence across the Pacific and, in the words of an FBI spokesman, confront threats from "hostile nation-state actors like the Chinese Communist Party". Our government has pushed back at those suggestions. Ms Collins said the office was about countering transnational crime and New Zealand was not going to single out any one country, and it was up to Mr Patel to decide what he wanted to say. Mr Peters said China was not even raised during his meeting with the director. Unsurprisingly, China has bristled, despite Ms Collins saying she did not think it would comment. A Chinese Embassy spokesperson said it opposed "groundless assertions or vilifications" out of a "Cold War mentality" and that it had noted the US assertions and our ministers' remarks to the media. Certainly there are some weird things going on in a world which seems to get stranger by the minute. Granted, an FBI office in New Zealand is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, particularly for those who want the country to pull out of the Five Eyes alliance. But it is certainly a good move if such international crime-busting endeavours are going to make a difference to stopping the awful spread of drugs such as methamphetamine among the most vulnerable people in Pacific nations. We have seen recently how drug smuggling is making many thousands of people's lives there a misery. Far better for us to be on the side of good in the fight against such evils.
NZ Herald
7 days ago
- NZ Herald
Letters: At The Marae – How many te reo Māori words are too many?
Spine and guts In 2015, then Prime Minister Sir John Key yelled across the House that the Labour opposition leader Andrew Little needed to 'get some guts' to support sending troops to Iraq. Key incurred no Speaker's sanction. Why, then, in 2025 does Chlöe Swarbrick get dismissed from Parliament by Speaker Gerry Brownlee for a week for querying the spine of Government MPs for delaying their decision on whether to align with the overwhelming number of countries supporting a separate Palestinian state? David Sanders, Torbay. Leave it to the US and Israel Chlöe Swarbrick was ejected from Parliament for the rest of the week. We used to be such a humble country. Surely if she took a reflective assessment, she would realise that she's a small person in a small country, far removed from the decisions regarding Gaza. A more humble person would accept that Israel is backed by the greatest country on earth, with some of the greatest minds from the greatest universities. The decisions as to the actions to deal with the 'Gaza problem' must be based upon sound analysis of weighty input and data from some of the top minds in both America and Israel. Swarbrick should humbly accept that they are closer to the issues and must know best. Simon Damerell, Ponsonby. NZ's lack of integrity I am bewildered by the lack of integrity and concern shown by our New Zealand Government. Why do they need so many weeks to make a simple humanitarian decision and to recognise the state of Palestine? In the past, I felt so proud of New Zealand, as we have led the world in so many similar times. Please don't make me so embarrassed by this decision you keep sidestepping. Mary Amoore, Pukekohe. Do they want my vote? Once upon a time, the National Party was the conservative one looking after big business and the rich. Labour was the socialist party supposedly concerned about the lower-income workers and the poor. Do they still? It's no wonder the ordinary citizen has lost faith in these parties when everyday services that affect our ordinary lives are closing down or being minimalised. For those who are not internet-connected, where does one buy a stamp? Post offices are being closed down, and now stationery and bookshops that sold stamps are also closing down. In our area on the North Shore, the ASB Bank has closed down several offices and withdrawn ATMs, several Post Shops have shut, and very few places are selling stamps. These are the little things that affect many ordinary people. We used to do so much government-related business at a Post Office. Now, so many government departments hide from taxpayers behind unhelpful automatic phone replies, or refer you to a website that only a teenager could get around. The question now comes: why should I bother voting this year? The representatives on local boards and city council don't appear to be doing anything about these everyday inconveniences. MPS have too many other important things to do, like stuffing up the country, to worry about us little people and our way of life, so I probably won't bother voting next year either. If they can't be concerned about how I live, an ordinary everyday taxpayer, why should I worry about whether they get voted in, survive or whatever? David Speary, Northcote. Emissions add up There are those who believe our country's carbon emissions are minuscule and will have no measurable effect on the changing climate. Any emissions, minuscule or not, add to the global climate crisis. This is real and can't be ignored or denied because it's inconvenient for the likes of Shane Jones and his 'drill, baby, drill' approach to our future energy resources. If more small countries follow the science, the greater the impact will be. 'Minuscule' is still an emission. It all adds up, either way. Only one way is the best way. Jeremy Coleman, Hillpark.
1News
13-08-2025
- 1News
Winston Peters announces new US ambassador
Senior diplomat Chris Seed has been appointed as New Zealand's next ambassador to the United States, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced. Seed's appointment comes at a crucial time for diplomatic relations between New Zealand and the US, New Zealand's second biggest trading partner. He would step into the role in January 2026. Earlier this month, the Trump administration levelled a surprise 15% tariff on New Zealand. Just a day prior, the FBI opened its new office in Wellington to "strengthen and enhance" its cooperation with a "key Five Eyes partner in the southwestern Pacific region". Director Kash Patel also said the new office would be working to counter China's influence in the Pacific. ADVERTISEMENT Seed was currently filling in as acting High Commissioner to the UK, stepping into the role after Phil Goff was sacked after he made comments about US President Donald Trump. He has previously served as Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 2019 to 2024, as well as leading New Zealand High Commissions in Canberra and Port Moresby. Hamish Cooper would take up the role of High Commissioner to the UK in September. Peters today described New Zealand's strategic partnership with the United States as, "one of our most important and long-standing relationships". He said it was "essential" that New Zealand's ambassador to the US was experienced and had the "judgement and influence to effectively represent our country in Washington DC and navigate the range of important and pressing issues that are vital to New Zealanders". 'Mr Seed is one of New Zealand's most senior and accomplished diplomats and is, accordingly, the right person for this vital role." Seed would be replacing Rosemary Banks, who would be completing her second term as ambassador by the time Seed arrives in Washington DC. "Ms Banks has had a most distinguished diplomatic career, having led New Zealand missions in Paris, New York and Washington,' Peters said. 'Twice Ms Banks has been asked by her Government to serve in Washington DC and we are enormously grateful to her that twice she answered that call to serve with distinction as New Zealand Ambassador to the United States. 'Ms Banks' long diplomatic experience and her elevated standing amongst her US counterparts, during such a challenging time in global affairs, has seen her contribute greatly to one of New Zealand's most critical bilateral relationships."
