A Network of National Socialists? The Physical Manifestation of Extreme Right Ideology in the Trans-Tasman, 2000-2022

Abstract

Studies concerning the activities of the extreme right in the trans-Tasman were limited before Tarrant's massacre in 2019. Literature prior to 2019 predominately focused on the historical legacy of fascism in Australia and New Zealand but did not examine how this legacy may have shaped the current manifestation. Since 2019, the literature has become more empirically focused. Yet it remains concentrated on narrow aspects of the phenomenon, rather than examining the movement as a holistic entity guided by an ideological strategic goal. No research conducted within the trans-Tasman extreme right has studied how ideology guides connectivity in its pursuit of its overall agenda.

This Thesis, therefore, seeks to address this shortfall. It seeks not only to create an empirically sound body of knowledge to explain the movement as a holistic entity, but also to build a foundation from which future research can expand. This Thesis takes the starting position that ideology not only guides the actions of individuals associated with the extreme right towards their strategic goal, but that ideology dictates the very structure required to achieve that goal. Thus, the more adherent to the ideology a movement becomes, the more structured they become, and, therefore, the more active they become. This Thesis created two unique datasets and utilised qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques to empirically demonstrate the networked status of the trans-Tasman movement and the methods it employs to pursue its agenda. The resulting outcomes can provide practitioners with a holistic understanding of the movement whilst highlighting areas of weakness within it which may help to prevent a further atrocity. Show more