New Zealand has designated US right-wing groups Proud Boys and The Base as terrorist organizations, so New Zealand residents have funded either organization. It is illegal to or support.
New Zealand Police Minister Chris Hypkins officially announced the designation at a news conference in Wellington on Thursday as the government released a 29-page description.
Hypkins said the group's involvement in a violent attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 was equivalent to an act of terrorism. He said the "violent protests to overthrow the [US] government" clearly provide sufficient evidence of the threat posed by the group.
Statement is where several militia groups were involved in the January 6 riot, but could instigate crowds, coordinate attacks on law enforcement officers, and invade other mobs into the building. They were the proud boys who led us to.
Hypkins states: , And I don't think New Zealanders believe that New Zealanders should enable and support them.
Canada has designated both Proud Boys and Base Terrorist Groups, but the UK and Australia have labeled Base as a radical organization.
The Supreme Police Officer of New Zealand approved the designation on June 20, but the declaration was not published by the government until Monday.
The office of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said New Zealand is actively reviewing and regularly updating the terrorist blacklist. This includes groups such as Islamic countries and Africa-based Alshabab.
It's not clear if either rightmost group has an important presence in New Zealand, but officials said they tried to expand the base to neighboring Australia.
The Washington Post reported that former New Zealand Attorney General Christopher Finlayson responded by email, with authorities following a "standard process" and many groups of Wellington terrorists in the country. He said he was not active.
Some information in this report was provided by Associated Press.
