NZ First’s deflection over alleged neo-Nazi links is a political disgrace

OPINION: New Zealand First is facing a serious credibility crisis after a senior figure in its youth wing was linked by The Press to neo-Nazi activism, social media accounts praising Adolf Hitler and protests involving far-right organisations.

The investigation relates to Nicholas Newport, a 23-year-old executive member of Young New Zealand First who recently spoke at the party’s 2026 national convention. Newport was previously known as Nicholas Wells and was connected through photographs, protest footage, voice recordings, biographical information and social media activity to accounts that promoted racist and homophobic abuse, expressed support for an Australian neo-Nazi organisation and repeatedly praised Hitler.

    Advertisement
  
    This ad is not available right now due to a network issue or pending review with the Google Advertisement Network. Please check back later.
  
    Advertisement
    Why this ad?
      
        Advertising revenue keeps articles from thisquality free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉

The reported material includes apparent support for organised extremist movements, references associated with Holocaust denial, racial slurs, attacks on gay people and derogatory statements about women, alongside involvement in demonstrations connected to far-right activists.

New Zealand First should have responded with immediate concern, a clear condemnation of neo-Nazism and a commitment to investigate how someone with such a reported history reached an executive position within its youth organisation.

Image: Winston Peters responded by attacking The Press and branding its investigation a “pathetic lowball hit job”. The unanswered questions are what vetting took place before he was elevated, what party officials knew about his reported background and what action New Zealand First will now take. (Supplied / New Zealand First / Newswire)

Instead, Winston Peters attacked the news outlet and reporters responsible for the investigation. Peters described the reporting as a “pathetic lowball hit job” and accused The Press of attempting to drag a young party member through the mud for political and commercial gain. He argued that New Zealand First had thousands of members and could not be expected to employ private investigators to examine every person who joined the party. That argument deliberately avoids the main issue at-play because Newport was identified as an executive member of Young New Zealand First, appeared in official party material and was trusted to speak at the party’s national convention, placing him in a position where his conduct and associations inevitably reflected on the organisation that elevated him.

    Advertisement
  
    This ad is not available right now due to a network issue or pending review with the Google Advertisement Network. Please check back later.
  
    Advertisement
    Why this ad?
      
        Advertising revenue keeps articles from thisquality free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉

The relevant question is what checks were carried out before Newport was appointed to a leadership position, whether party officials knew anything about his reported background and what action will now be taken in response to the evidence published by The Press.

Peters did not directly address those questions, nor did he explain whether the party accepted or disputed the evidence connecting Newport to his former identity, the extremist accounts and the protests outlined in the investigation.

Image: Two images understood to show Nicholas Newport, previously known as Nicholas Wells. Left: At an Action Zealandia protest. Right: Wearing a hood, face covering and sunglasses at a protest supporting Posie Parker. (Left image: Supplied / courtesy of reporting from The Post, Right Image: X)

Young New Zealand First reportedly declined to respond to The Post and did not make Newport available for an interview. That silence is telling because political accountability cannot be replaced by personal attacks on reporters, particularly when the allegations involve Nazism, white supremacy and organised extremist activity.

New Zealand First has spent many years pretending to be a defender of law and order, national unity and social stability, but that positioning becomes difficult to take seriously when its leadership responds to reported neo-Nazi associations within its youth executive by attacking the media rather than confronting the substance of the claims. The issue reaches beyond one young political figure because extremist movements gain legitimacy when people associated with them are given public positions, organisational authority and access to mainstream political institutions. Political parties therefore have a responsibility to act decisively when credible evidence suggests that racist, fascist or neo-Nazi ideology may have entered their ranks.

New Zealand First has so far chosen deflection over accountability, aggression over transparency and political theatre over a direct explanation to the public. It reveals the concerning orbit surrounding the political party.

In my view, that response confirms New Zealand First as the most disgusting political party in the country, not simply because of the allegations involving one youth executive, but because its senior leadership appears more interested in attacking than demonstrating that neo-Nazi ideology has no place anywhere near the party, let alone in New Zealand.

    Advertisement
  
    This ad is not available right now due to a network issue or pending review with the Google Advertisement Network. Please check back later.
  
    Advertisement
    Why this ad?
      
        Advertising revenue keeps articles from thisquality free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉

Image: Winston Peters Speaking to an audience at New Zealand First’s convention. NZ First must explain whether it will launch an internal investigation and unequivocally condemn Nazism and white supremacy, with voters entitled to scrutinise the conduct of its leadership and those it places in positions of influence and power. (Supplied)

Peters has built his career on having a whinge demanding answers from public servants, journalists and political opponents, often presenting himself as the toughest interrogator in Parliament. But all along his party has been associated with neo-Nazi ideology. When serious questions are directed at his own organisation, the aggression remains, but the willingness to provide clear answers appears to disappear.

New Zealanders deserve to know whether an internal investigation will be launched and whether Peters will issue an unequivocal condemnation of every ideology and organisation associated with Nazism and white supremacy. Until those answers are provided, voters are entitled to judge New Zealand First by the conduct of its disgusting leadership and by the people it chooses to place in positions of influence and power.

Peters may discover that attacking journalists cannot permanently protect a political party from public accountability.

Should New Zealand First be removed from Parliament in November, Peters can enjoy a comfortable retirement village and reflect on the political legacy created by years of hostility, deflection and refusal to answer legitimate questions.

Help keep independent stories going

thisquality is an independent New Zealand platform committed to publishing engaging stories that remain free to read.

    Advertisement
  
    This ad is not available right now due to a network issue or pending review with the Google Advertisement Network. Please check back later.
  
    Advertisement
    Why this ad?
      
        Advertising revenue keeps articles from thisquality free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉

Every contribution helps us continue producing independent coverage and strengthens our place within New Zealand’s media landscape.

Advertisement

Advertisement Why this ad? Advertising revenue keeps articles from thisquality free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉