Kyle Chapman

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

Personal life

Chapman was born in Taumarunui, New Zealand. He has said that he wanted to join the National Front from the age of 14, and that he was a skinhead during the 1980s and early 1990s. As a teenager he was a member of several skinhead gangs. 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, reportedly due to his failure to fulfill his promise of abandoning his involvement in white supremacy groups.[2][3][4]

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

Christchurch mayoralty

In 2004, he unsuccessfully contested the mayoralty of Christchurch, New Zealand, placing fifth out of 10 with 1.9 percent of the vote (1665 votes). In 2005, he resigned his high-profile 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 of left wing anti-NZNF groups as a factor in his departure.[8] He has since been the tenth-ranked list candidate for the Direct Democracy Party.[9]

He unsuccessfully contested the Christchurch mayoralty again in 2007, running this time under the National Democrats ticket.[10]

In 2013, Chapman ran again for the Christchurch mayoralty, but was conspicuously unsuccessful, only securing 499 votes. He also ran for the Ferrymead-Pegasus Local Board, securing 641 votes, but was also unsuccessful there [11]

Survive Club

Chapman is the founder and leader of the Survive Club, a survivalist group that denies being a militia and denies any racist ties despite the histories of some of its members.[12][13]

Right Wing Resistance

As of 2009, Chapman is the leader of the "white pride" Right Wing Resistance (RWR) group, which he describes as his National Alliance's "street arm". Chapman reportedly knighted the members with a sword after they recited a pledge. The group's insignia is a skull over a Wolfsangel, with the notation, "NA 14". RWR members have 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 have included from 5 to 15 members, who shave their heads.[14] In October 2009, Chapman organized a rally at the Wellington cenotaph.[2]

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.[15]

References

  1. ↑ "National Front's ex-leader marries Mormon". Waikato Times. 2 May 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 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.co.nz. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  5. ↑ Hume, Tim (25 October 2009). "Far-right leader Kyle Chapman returns". stuff.co.nz. 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. ↑
  10. ↑ "The wackiest candidates win our votes". nzherald.co.nz. 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.
  11. ↑ http://www.ccc.govt.nz
  12. ↑ Survive Club New Zealand
  13. ↑ "Rational survivalists, or racial supremacists?". 3news.co.nz. 27 Aug 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  14. ↑ STEWARD, IAN (26 October 2009). "Right-wing vigilantes on patrol in Christchurch". The Press (Christchurch).
  15. ↑ "Whites-only "mini-state" condemned". Television New Zealand. 22 January 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2011.

External links