Police Raid NZ Weapons Camps

WONG:
New Zealand police raided camps on Monday where training in firearms and other weapons was being given, and detained ten people. Details on the nature and purpose of the camps are sketchy, but local media reports one of those arrested was a prominent activist of the indigenous Maori people.

STORY:
Armed police swooped on a several locations in the country's North Island, following up information collected over the past year.

[Howard Broad, Police Commissioner]:
"All I'll say is that it is military style training using weapons and therefore, was an element of illegality around what they were doing."

He says police had been aware since last year that a number of people had been taking part in the training camps. Police have been searching for evidence of offences against the country's tight firearms laws and possibly a never-used anti-terrorism law.

Broad asks that people not jump to conclusions yet, but that the raids were preventative measures for later attacks.

[Howard Broad, Police Commissioner]:
"There was a significant risk and I deemed it prudent to act now rather than allow this risk to continue."

None of the people arrested are facing terrorism charges, and are set to appear in court later this week. New Zealand has no history of domestic-related terrorism. The Maori make up around 15 percent of the population. At times they have at times staged high-profile demonstrations and land occupations to highlight historic grievances.