New Zealand shocked by terror raids
Auckland was among the cities where raids took place
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Monday, 15, Oct 2007 12:24
Around 300 police officers have been used in a series of raids against individuals allegedly training for "military-style activities" in New Zealand.
Seventeen people were arrested in the incident, including Maori activist Tame Iti. Firearms charges have reportedly been laid against all those detained.
The raids took place in locations in cities like Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch and on the remote eastern Bay of Plenty coast after a year of investigation into the guerrilla-style training taking place.
Police Commissioner Howard Broad said the arrests were the first made under the terrorism suppression act, introduced in the wake of the September 11th 2001 attacks on the US.
"Based on the information and the activity known to have taken place, I decided it was prudent that action should be taken in the interests of public safety," he told reporters.
"I believe this is domestically orientated, I don't have evidence there is an international connection to this."
The New Zealand Herald newspaper claims that hunters first warned the police of the camps' existence.