Chris Wilson, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau e Sanjal Shastri, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Hate crimes after a terrorist attack usually target people from the terrorist’s background. But the Christchurch mosque shootings led to a surge in abuse directed at victims of the attacks.
A video purporting to show a suicide is reportedly circulating on TikTok, reigniting debate about content moderation on social media. Collaborating with competitors may be the key.
The Christchurch gunman’s surprise guilty plea makes him the first person convicted of terrorism in New Zealand. A legal expert explains what will happen next in the sentencing process.
Haji-Daoud Nabi was a lifelong friend, who helped inspire my research in Afghanistan on how violent events shape people’s sense of community. I never thought my work would one day apply at home in NZ.
My assessment is that there are about 150 to 300 core right-wing activists in New Zealand. This might sound modest – but proportionate to population, it’s similar to extremist numbers in Germany.
In the wake of last year’s Christchurch mosque attacks, New Zealand’s intelligence agencies must become more transparent in their reporting on the risk of right-wing terrorism.
In an address to the Lowy Institute, outgoing ASIO head Duncan Lewis warned that “the scale and scope of foreign intelligence activity against Australian interests is unprecedented”.
Through his lawyer, the alleged perpetrator of the Christchurch mosque attacks has entered not guilty pleas on 92 charges, including terrorism. A procedural hearing has found him fit to stand trial.
An additional charge of terrorism has been laid against the man accused of the Christchurch mosque shootings. This poses a risk of providing a platform for hateful ideas.
Before proceedings against the alleged perpetrator of the Christchurch terror attacks can go ahead, the court will have to establish whether he is fit to stand trial.
New Zealand’s terrorism law has never been prosecuted successfully since it was enacted nearly 20 years ago. So, why are prosecutors bringing a terrorism charge against the Christchurch shooter?
A Royal commission of inquiry has been set up to look into circumstances that led to the Christchurch mosque attacks. It will investigate intelligence services, it not the role of media.
Co-founder and director of Hate & Extremism Insights Aotearoa (HEIA) and director, Master of Conflict and Terrorism Studies, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Communication Studies, Concordia University; Assistant Professor (limited term appointment), Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, University of Toronto