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The New Zealand National Front is a small nationalist political party in New Zealand.

Contents 1 History 2 Support 3 Activities 4 Website 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

The National Front was first formed in 1968 out of the New Zealand branch of the League of Empire Loyalists. Its first leader was Brian Thompson, then an Ashburton school teacher. During the late 70s and early 80s it received more significant media attention, under the leadership of David Crawford, with Thompson and well-known right-wing figure Kerry Bolton playing important roles. It became moribund during the 80s before being re-formed in 1989. During the 90s, under the leadership of Anton Foljambe, it gained further publicity. Foljambe resigned as leader in 1997 and was replaced by Kyle Chapman, who led it until resigning as leader in 2005. Its peak strength was in 2003 - 2005, under the leadership of Chapman and Bolton, when it seemed to never be out of the headlines. Membership and support has declined since Chapman's resignation. Current leader Sid Wilson is abrasive and has struggled to retain the support built up by Chapman. Moderate members under Foljambe have established the National Democrats Party and Chapman now runs the Survive Club and his own online blog.

The National Front has received a small amount of public support, with 1.9% voting in favour of Kyle Chapman in the 2005 Christchurch mayoral election.

On October 23, 2004, the National Front held a protest in Wellington in support of retaining the current New Zealand Flag, which was attended by an estimated 45 persons.^[1] A 3000-strong counter-demonstration was organised by the MultiCultural Aotearoa coalition to expose the sympathies of the National Front. ^[2] According to the "New Zealand Herald", Kyle Chapman complained the following day of "insufficient police protection". ^[3].

The National Front claims to have benefitted from favourable media coverage, with Kyle Chapman telling the Dominion newspaper that "the media is our best recruiter". National Radio host Linda Clark, claiming the need to "give a voice to all New Zealanders", has interviewed Chapman, as well as Australian One Nation founder Pauline Hanson.

The NZNF operates a website to promote the party. It lists party policies, and has downloadable member application forms.

• Politics of New Zealand

1. ^ "Two groups poles apart to rally at Parliament" The New Zealand Herald October 23, 2004
2. ^ "Three arrests, police officer hurt after National Front march" ibid October 23, 2004
3. ^ "Hate speech laws could ban us, says National Front leader" ibid October 24, 2004

• Official website
• Interview With New Zealand National Front members Questions posed by Jim Saleam of the Australia First Party, answers written by Kyle Chapman, Anton Foljambe & Kerry Bolton. February 28, 2005
• Chapman's online blog
• Website of the breakaway National Democrats Party
• Press release:National Front Thwarted in Wellington Illustrated account of June 8, 2004 demonstration, from counter-demonstrators, "Wellington Activists Against Racism".
• NZ National Front Responds to Anarchist PR A reply to the above press release, from Kerry Bolton.
• Scoop Images: National Front's Bad Day In Wellington Photos of October 23, 2004 demonstrations.
• Scoop Images: Fairies Against Fascism Vs National Front More of the same.
• stuff.co.nz National Front's Anzac plans upset vets on 24 April 2005
• NZHerald Death threats against National Front members condemned.

 

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