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Fear: The must-read gripping new book about New Zealand's hostile underworld of extremists
This must-read new book maps New Zealand's alt-right underworld and unearths the roots of the occupation that ended in a violent protest on the grounds of Parliament.
Speaking after the chaos of the protest that stopped the nation, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a press conference, 'One day, it will be our job to try and understand how a group of people could succumb to such wild and dangerous mis- and disinformation.'
That day isn't in the future. Mis- and disinformation had been identified as a problem before the convoy to parliament had even been suggested. While that protest looked like something that 'couldn't happen here', things that supposedly couldn't happen here seemed to be happening with alarming frequency. Three years prior, an armed gunman had entered two mosques in Christchurch and taken the lives of 51 worshipers, an event that shocked a country where mass shootings are almost unheard of. A few months later, a New Zealand Defence Force soldier who had founded a far-right group was arrested, and is awaiting court martial, accused of espionage.
We are no longer living in ordinary times, where political violence is unimaginable, and conspiracy theorists are marginal figures whose ideas can be laughed at. How did things get to this point?
New Zealand's Hostile Underworld of Extremists helps make sense of the tributaries feeding the river of alt-right activism, identifies the main perpetrators, and looks at why New Zealand is susceptible to misinformation, conspiracy theory and fear-mongering.
Speaking after the chaos of the protest that stopped the nation, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a press conference, 'One day, it will be our job to try and understand how a group of people could succumb to such wild and dangerous mis- and disinformation.'
That day isn't in the future. Mis- and disinformation had been identified as a problem before the convoy to parliament had even been suggested. While that protest looked like something that 'couldn't happen here', things that supposedly couldn't happen here seemed to be happening with alarming frequency. Three years prior, an armed gunman had entered two mosques in Christchurch and taken the lives of 51 worshipers, an event that shocked a country where mass shootings are almost unheard of. A few months later, a New Zealand Defence Force soldier who had founded a far-right group was arrested, and is awaiting court martial, accused of espionage.
We are no longer living in ordinary times, where political violence is unimaginable, and conspiracy theorists are marginal figures whose ideas can be laughed at. How did things get to this point?
New Zealand's Hostile Underworld of Extremists helps make sense of the tributaries feeding the river of alt-right activism, identifies the main perpetrators, and looks at why New Zealand is susceptible to misinformation, conspiracy theory and fear-mongering.
- GenresNonfictionPolitics
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2023
28 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 9, 2023
Wow. Extremely thorough "in the trenches" research that shines a much needed light on NZ far-right extremists. Very sobering read, I'm exceedingly grateful to Byron for putting in the mahi to bring us this information. I both look forward to and dread any future publications of his.
September 30, 2023
Well written and researched account of extremist right wing groups in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Essential reading for all New Zealanders, especially as we currently have a general election approaching.
October 28, 2023
Essential (and sobering) reading for all New Zealanders. The events of the last few years - mosque shootings, parliament occupation, etc. - show that we are no different to anywhere else when it comes to the dangers of disinformation, conspiracy and radicalisation.
In hindsight, Clark correctly identified that our 2023 election would be affected by these groups, with over 200,000 votes going to conspiracy-aligned parties - including NZ First's hard swing towards the conspiracy crowd.
Highly recommend. Easy to read, but extremely well researched and written. A real eye-opener.
In hindsight, Clark correctly identified that our 2023 election would be affected by these groups, with over 200,000 votes going to conspiracy-aligned parties - including NZ First's hard swing towards the conspiracy crowd.
Highly recommend. Easy to read, but extremely well researched and written. A real eye-opener.
February 19, 2023
Byron C Clark has a reputation for well considered and thoughtful journalistic style investigations into the alt-right. And this book certainly bears up that reputation.
In it, he details a variety of groups that are involved in pushing either alt-right, or disinformation related agendas over the last few years in Aotearoa.
It would be impossible to be exhaustive in that list, but he details a very broad range of these groups. In each chapter he is careful to use a good mixture of primary sources, and a range of commentary on those sources, to illustrate the harms, or potential harms, being done to NZ society by the groups.
He strikes an easily readable tone, careful not to make the work inaccessible, but it is clear that he values academic rigor. His careful noting of sources makes it easy to delve more deeply into an area that might draw your attention.
And it should draw your attention, because what he highlights is important information for everyone who is learning how to deal with the vast changes in our personal and political landscapes.
Risking his own personal safety and reputation, he documents the rise and spread of the alt-right messaging, writing chapter after chapter on subjects that have gotten many of our mainstream media intensely harassed when they have covered them.
But it is not because of this that you should read the book, you should read it because you care about the society we live in, and you don’t want to see it torn apart by disinformation and delusion. Having a grasp of what threatens our society, is the first step towards healing it. And as he makes clear in the book, no one has all the answers, all of us need to be part of the solution. Urgently.
In it, he details a variety of groups that are involved in pushing either alt-right, or disinformation related agendas over the last few years in Aotearoa.
It would be impossible to be exhaustive in that list, but he details a very broad range of these groups. In each chapter he is careful to use a good mixture of primary sources, and a range of commentary on those sources, to illustrate the harms, or potential harms, being done to NZ society by the groups.
He strikes an easily readable tone, careful not to make the work inaccessible, but it is clear that he values academic rigor. His careful noting of sources makes it easy to delve more deeply into an area that might draw your attention.
And it should draw your attention, because what he highlights is important information for everyone who is learning how to deal with the vast changes in our personal and political landscapes.
Risking his own personal safety and reputation, he documents the rise and spread of the alt-right messaging, writing chapter after chapter on subjects that have gotten many of our mainstream media intensely harassed when they have covered them.
But it is not because of this that you should read the book, you should read it because you care about the society we live in, and you don’t want to see it torn apart by disinformation and delusion. Having a grasp of what threatens our society, is the first step towards healing it. And as he makes clear in the book, no one has all the answers, all of us need to be part of the solution. Urgently.
May 18, 2023
I feel sorry for Byron writing a book on NZs most boring people. I mean it's an important book to write and uncover the links and overlaps of the main players, sunlight to burn em out and all that but fk sake, Arps, Williams and the like are so boringly tedious. The chapter on Rhodesia was a favourite, I'd always been confused about that link. Also the one on Hindutva as I learnt something new. Overall well written, followed along each topic so that we can indeed easily see NZ and it's 2 degrees of separation. Actually ran into one of the subjects of this book the other day, took 10 secs to go from a boring discussion about the new snow on the mountain to climate change to SovCit BS. As I said ...tedious people. Not the book though. Read. It!
April 12, 2023
This book by video essayist Byron Clark isn't a dry academic treatise on politics, it's a readable account of unrest in Aotearoa New Zealand in recently years, led by a few individuals who've gained a following on right wing and social media channels. There is research underlying the threads that Byron pulls together but you don't have to be an academic to understand it. I recommend it to anyone who wants a broader understanding of what's been happening and why, or who knows friends or family who've fallen for some of the distortions, misinformation and disinformation spread by these people and movements.
June 26, 2024
"Fear: New Zealand's Hostile Underworld of Extremists" by Byron Clark is a chilling exposé on the rise of extremist ideologies in New Zealand. Through meticulous research and firsthand infiltration of fringe groups, Clark unveils a disturbing landscape where conspiracy theorists, far-right activists, anti-vaxers, and radical Christian leaders wield increasing influence. From the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque attacks to recent protests, Clark navigates the complexities of these movements with a critical eye. His narrative not only highlights the prevalence of conspiracy theories but also delves into the societal factors that make New Zealanders particularly vulnerable.
May 5, 2023
Scary and its good to know what's happening in the underbelly of NZ, this book have made me more aware of the extremist groups that is hidden away. What I can do as a normal resident is to promote more cultural awareness to all who are willing to participate, and hopefully the numbers of people who are rational and sane remains more than the extremist groups. Thank you Byron Clark for writing this to create more awareness.
April 20, 2023
Byron inspires me to fight for a better a future. One that is not founded on hate, fear and violence.
After that Lauren Southern cancellation we started to call the venue that booked her (White)-Powerstation, haha, but no really let's be clear this book highlights the spread of misinformation and resistance to change and adapt to a world we are destroying. Lets not do that. Lots of love Byron!!
After that Lauren Southern cancellation we started to call the venue that booked her (White)-Powerstation, haha, but no really let's be clear this book highlights the spread of misinformation and resistance to change and adapt to a world we are destroying. Lets not do that. Lots of love Byron!!
November 3, 2023
This book was really good - a terrifying but concise look into the far-right movement with a local lens.
Each chapter focuses on a different element that makes up the far-right movement(s), along with what the movement(s) looks like in Aotearoa and who the key figures are.
It’s very telling that the afterword ends on a very cautious tone.
Each chapter focuses on a different element that makes up the far-right movement(s), along with what the movement(s) looks like in Aotearoa and who the key figures are.
It’s very telling that the afterword ends on a very cautious tone.
December 10, 2024
A great introductory to far right extremism in nz and really opened my eyes to the kinds of communities that are present in nz. Although Clark mentions when he started writing the book the issue of how to de-radicalise people who have gone down the conspiracy pipeline, I felt that this book offered no answer to this.
March 19, 2023
At times it is excellent; at some other times it drags, and on the whole may not date well. But these occasional issues notwithstanding, an overall very important summary of threats to this country's social order.
January 16, 2025
An invigorating read. Successfully extrapolates how deeply enmeshed the far-right and conspiracist scene in Aotearoa New Zealand is with global trends without underestimating the local factors and features contributing to its rising significance and distinctiveness.
December 7, 2022
Well worth a read.
April 29, 2023
Yowza.
December 14, 2023
Excellent; eye opening and chilling.
January 20, 2024
A very informative read, gives a little insight into the hilarious madness of those antivax/conspiracy theorist nutters in your life.
February 9, 2024
Fascinating!! A very good overview of NZ's recent explosion of conspiracies and how momentum builds in the anti-government, anti-vaccine, anti-multiculturalism communities
February 16, 2024
Excellent coverage of the alt-right in NZ, and how we need to be aware of it.
September 16, 2025
Scary to me to learn about the extremists in our midst!!
April 25, 2023
I would have liked to rate this book higher. It is well written and does a worthwhile service of informing the public about some potentially dangerous fringe political characters in New Zealand. However, there are a couple of major issues holding it back.
First the good. Clark's knowledge of the activities and beliefs of some of the most unhinged fringe political figures in New Zealand (NZ) is extensive. His ability to write about them in an engaging manner is excellent. In a few instances, he argues convincingly about the process of transmission of a political idea (such as opposition to the UN migration compact) from some of the strangest, most marginal parts of the internet, to a major political party's policy. These were perhaps the strongest part of the book and do the most to prove his thesis that these often laughable figures, really do have an effect on world politics. Likewise, his final predictions that the anti covid-19 mandates and vaccine groups would transition into climate change denial as global warming events increase is sound and worth considering. In fact it has already been proven by some of the subjects in the book currently focusing on the recent weather events in NZ and their attempts to claim that these were man made. Furthermore, he points out how the conspiracy groups campaigning against an imaginary cabal, in fact benefits actual groups of elites who want to dump their external costs on others or prevent measures to lessen the wealth gap in nz.
Now the bad.
First, Clark never defines the terms Far right and extremist and instead uses them interchangeably. Which is a bit of an issue when the book is covering as diverse a crowd as a conservative Pasifika tv show, Hindu nationalists, anti-covid 19 vaccine activists and the Christchurch Mosques shooter and then lumping them all together.
Second, the book doesn't really cover the extremist landscape in New Zealand. Instead it is more concerned with nationalistic or conspiracy minded radicals who operate overtly online. In terms of disrupted plots, exporting of foreign fighters, distributing violent extremist material and actually carrying out attacks(but not in terms of casualties inflicted), Islamic extremists lead any other category in New Zealand. The book briefly mentions Samsudeen's knife attack in Auckland before mentioning how attacks by Islamic extremists fuel right wing extremist's grievances and vice versa. Even if for just that reason alone, the book would have benefited from more coverage of these individuals and their beliefs.
In the same vein, covering Hindu Nationalist who use nasty rhetoric online but not Sikh Nationalists who attacked a local Sikh radio personality with a machete, seems like a bit of an omission. Especially when Rhodesian immigrants selling Rhodesian memorabilia somehow merits a whole chapter.
To make it clear, I am not arguing Clark has a political bias. In fact, he is quite candid in one of the final chapters of the book about his past political beliefs and activities. I think it is more to do with his methodology where he primarily relies on English language social media research and access to other 'researchers' with similar interests. It is possible that this might be a bit harder with Islamic or Sikh extremists, but even a chapter that was more of a literature review/coverage of news articles about these activities in NZ would have given a much fuller picture. Or even focusing purely on the COVID-19 conspiracy space where the author is most comfortable and ditching the terrorism/violent extremist angle.
Third, the book is dismissive about the beliefs of any anti government group it covers. To its credit it does point out that many mainstream left wing commentators and politicians believe in conspiracies such as Russian collusion in the US. However, it constantly mentions stuff conspiracy theorists believe in, dismisses it out of hand as "obviously wrong" or gives a very simple explanation of it. For that reason it's not going to convince anyone who doesn't already believe the government line and worse, it does not give the reader the information to counter the conspiracy narrative should they want to do any independent research on any of theorists the book mentions. There is often a tiny bit of truth in these theories or a complex history that would benefit the readers understanding if it was covered.
Regardless of the above criticisms, anyone reading the book will gain a greater understanding of the figures Clark talks about. I look forward to reading Clark's work in the future.
First the good. Clark's knowledge of the activities and beliefs of some of the most unhinged fringe political figures in New Zealand (NZ) is extensive. His ability to write about them in an engaging manner is excellent. In a few instances, he argues convincingly about the process of transmission of a political idea (such as opposition to the UN migration compact) from some of the strangest, most marginal parts of the internet, to a major political party's policy. These were perhaps the strongest part of the book and do the most to prove his thesis that these often laughable figures, really do have an effect on world politics. Likewise, his final predictions that the anti covid-19 mandates and vaccine groups would transition into climate change denial as global warming events increase is sound and worth considering. In fact it has already been proven by some of the subjects in the book currently focusing on the recent weather events in NZ and their attempts to claim that these were man made. Furthermore, he points out how the conspiracy groups campaigning against an imaginary cabal, in fact benefits actual groups of elites who want to dump their external costs on others or prevent measures to lessen the wealth gap in nz.
Now the bad.
First, Clark never defines the terms Far right and extremist and instead uses them interchangeably. Which is a bit of an issue when the book is covering as diverse a crowd as a conservative Pasifika tv show, Hindu nationalists, anti-covid 19 vaccine activists and the Christchurch Mosques shooter and then lumping them all together.
Second, the book doesn't really cover the extremist landscape in New Zealand. Instead it is more concerned with nationalistic or conspiracy minded radicals who operate overtly online. In terms of disrupted plots, exporting of foreign fighters, distributing violent extremist material and actually carrying out attacks(but not in terms of casualties inflicted), Islamic extremists lead any other category in New Zealand. The book briefly mentions Samsudeen's knife attack in Auckland before mentioning how attacks by Islamic extremists fuel right wing extremist's grievances and vice versa. Even if for just that reason alone, the book would have benefited from more coverage of these individuals and their beliefs.
In the same vein, covering Hindu Nationalist who use nasty rhetoric online but not Sikh Nationalists who attacked a local Sikh radio personality with a machete, seems like a bit of an omission. Especially when Rhodesian immigrants selling Rhodesian memorabilia somehow merits a whole chapter.
To make it clear, I am not arguing Clark has a political bias. In fact, he is quite candid in one of the final chapters of the book about his past political beliefs and activities. I think it is more to do with his methodology where he primarily relies on English language social media research and access to other 'researchers' with similar interests. It is possible that this might be a bit harder with Islamic or Sikh extremists, but even a chapter that was more of a literature review/coverage of news articles about these activities in NZ would have given a much fuller picture. Or even focusing purely on the COVID-19 conspiracy space where the author is most comfortable and ditching the terrorism/violent extremist angle.
Third, the book is dismissive about the beliefs of any anti government group it covers. To its credit it does point out that many mainstream left wing commentators and politicians believe in conspiracies such as Russian collusion in the US. However, it constantly mentions stuff conspiracy theorists believe in, dismisses it out of hand as "obviously wrong" or gives a very simple explanation of it. For that reason it's not going to convince anyone who doesn't already believe the government line and worse, it does not give the reader the information to counter the conspiracy narrative should they want to do any independent research on any of theorists the book mentions. There is often a tiny bit of truth in these theories or a complex history that would benefit the readers understanding if it was covered.
Regardless of the above criticisms, anyone reading the book will gain a greater understanding of the figures Clark talks about. I look forward to reading Clark's work in the future.
June 21, 2024
Some interesting stuff in there. At the end it comes across as a reasonably lefty take and some parts get a bit over long. However that there are people who still get followers by claiming the Chch shootings were a false flag shows there’s a need to expose them. The Voices for Freedom group seemed the most concerning out of all of them - a likeable enough group with some crazy backing to it.
December 30, 2023
While its subject matter is not the easiest to read about (I’m definitely choosing a light book for my next read!), I would unhesitatingly recommend this important and timely work. A real eye opener!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews