Exercise Southern Katipo

Did a Defence Force war games protest go too far?

Barry Whitnall Photography

A group of Becara supporters scuffle with armed forces during a march on NZDF camp at the Southern Katipo in Murchison.

Nelson Mail,

12 November, 2014

A staged protest in Murchison as part of a war games exercise quickly became confused and led to a bit of "argy bargy", police say.

The demonstration on Wednesday night was part of Exercise Southern Katipo that involved a scenario of unrest in a fictitious Pacific Island nation, the Republic of Becara.

Under the scenario, the New Zealand Defence Force was leading a multinational force helping restore peace and order.

While some witnesses said the NZDF went too far, others said it was all part of the scenario and the situation was well managed.

Barry Whitnall Photography

Soldiers were pelted with eggs, flour and other missile as part of an orgainised protest.

Residents in Murchison, near Nelson, were briefed on the scenario and were encouraged to role-play as part of the simulation. 

READ MORE: International Defense Force exercise in Murchison

A letter informing people of the scenario states that most of the population in Becara are made of the "Westportian" ethnic group, also known as "Wessos" and the minority Havelock ethnic group are known as "Havos".

Barry Whitnall Photography

Participants in the Murchison protest against the military were given roles to play and encouraged to act aggressively against the 'invaders'.

"There is a long history of conflict between the Wessos and the Havos and in recent times Wessos militias have actively persecuted Havo families around Murchison and driven them back to their traditional lands in the east," the letter reads.

Participants in the Murchison protest against the military were given roles to play and encouraged to act aggressively against the "invaders". 

One woman posted an online message on Facebook alleging she had been assaulted by soldiers during the protest.

A spokesperson for the NZDF said: "The NZDF is aware of a post on Facebook describing an alleged assault during a mock protest outside the Murchison Town Hall last night. This event was organised with volunteers from the local community as part of Exercise Southern Katipo 2015.

"We take such allegations seriously and although no complaint was laid, NZDF representatives discussed the matter with the alleged victim as soon as possible after becoming aware of the post. She assured our representatives that her concerns were resolved, and she has subsequently removed the post."

Others posting on Facebook said the NZDF did go too far and the woman was not the only person injured but she was the only one that had come forward about it.

Local police officer constable Mike McDougall, who took part in the exercise said a "misunderstanding" about roles residents were to play led to some confusion and "a bit of argy bargy".

"There is always a bit of confusion when things are happening quickly."

Defence Force staff had met with person who posted the Facebook complaint and made sure she was all right, McDougall said.

Residents were actively tasked with being unwelcoming to the Defence Force, he said. But by the end of the exercise they were all smiles.

"Defence Force made sure everyone was happy. Murchison is a very tight community and this has really cemented it."

Photographer Barry Whitnall said most of those involved in the protest march stopped outside the military base at the Murchison Sport and Recreation Centre, but a few pushed their way in despite being warned not to.

Some were "looking to stir it up" and had thrown water, flour bombs and eggs at the soldiers, he said.

While the soldiers were initially smiling, things became heated on both sides when the group broke in, and a number were restrained and "arrested".

Whitnall said while it was a military exercise, the soldiers could not be expected to stand by and let the marchers walk past them.

"The protesters were the aggressors. The soldiers were there to do a job, and that was nobody crosses the line. When they barged and went across, what did they expect would happen?"

Whitnall said most of the marchers enjoyed the experience.