The sovereignist landscape in Aotearoa New Zealand, while fringe, has long been fragmented, fluid, performative, and typically reactionary. Although it re-emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, some adherents have been present for decades. From refusing financial obligations and confronting authorities over traffic stops or parking tickets, to claiming land or filing reams of pseudolegal documents in court, these actions can function in many ways, such as political statements, grievance expressions, criminal tools, social theatre, even vexatious or vengeful activities.
The Sovereign Files documents overt sovereignist figures and incidents. Contrary to what many might expect, sovereign beliefs are not confined to one ideology or community. They cut across political divides and demographics and can be rooted in various motivations, from mistrust, uncertainty, deeply held belief systems to opportunistic tools. This project doesn’t sensationalise. It simply provides a record , for the public, journalists, and researchers, of how “sovereignty” is being performed in real spaces, and how the New Zealand public and justice system has responded in various cases.
This archive is a living project and is continually being edited and updated. Care is taken to mitigate amplification but retain documentary records.
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Unpacking the Militia Myth: NZAIF
“The NZAIF illustrates how militia mimicry in New Zealand functioned as symbolic theatre, while sovereignist movements have remained rooted in pseudo-legal and performative challenges to authority rather than sustained paramilitary organisation.
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'UN Marshall' Office Takeover
In 2015, a group of men styling themselves as ‘UN Marshalls’ stormed a Auckland office building claiming a land seizure. Staff were forced to leave, as the group attempted to assert control before police arrived. Despite these efforts arrests followed…..
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'The Robin's Society' Tax Dispute
For Years, Robin Tamihere contested the IRD’s authority using Freeman on the Land and pseudolaw arguments. He claimed to be exempt from taxation under his self-declared “Robin’s Society” and later as a “Diplomatic Marshall” of the Kingdom of Atooi. ….
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Kawerau Siege 2016
On 9 March 2016, an annual cannabis eradication became one of New Zealand’s most serious sieges. What began as Op Dee, ended with a 22 hours standoff, multiple injured police officers and the emergence of Rhys Richard Warren as both an armed resister and a volatile sovereignist voice ……
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The Immigration Scheme & Fabricated Statehood
This case involves fake adoptions, immigration fraud and bogus “work permits” under the pseudo Māori Government of Aotearoa, that drew over 280 Thai migrants into an immigration scam. And resulted in over 50 immigration hearings…….
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NFFA
In 2024, the New Zealand Government was declared dissolved and that a new goverance existed under the ‘Jurisdiction of Almighty God’. JA has since styled herself and ‘Commander’ and ‘ Royal Crown’, engaged in lorefare, voided debt, ‘toured’ the country & produced a new flag ..………..
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Ag Action Group (AAG)
A covid-era rural focused entity , the Ag Action Group blended rural populism with conspiratorial and anti-government narratives. While initially drawing broader rural support, its sovereignist rhetoric and calls to reject state authority attracted criticism and eventual division ….
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Lore vs Law: M KauKau
“…we don’t recognise your laws either” – “We’re not just a jacked-up organisation.” From pseudo-courts & illegimate court reports to roles in sovereign pseudo entities - Homeguard and Te Moana Nu Kiwa. M KauKau shows how flexible sovereign idenities can be while mimicking authority ….…
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Sovereign Micronation?
“For Our People, Our Island & Our Future!” SIIM promotes autonomy under the banner of “The Free Realm of South Zealandia” complete with its own currency, flag, and constitution rooted in natural law [lore]. But is it sovereign doctrine or ..?
These cases are compiled and written by drawing on publicly available information, court records, and doctoral research nearing completion. Any academic commentary is grounded in ongoing / established research and literature, not personal opinion. Citations and source references are included within each record. This archive is for documentation and research purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or endorsement of these tactics. My commentary on each case is necessarily limited in the short term due to alignment with doctoral study underway and accordance to ethical research practice.
https://www.unmaskingextremism.com/looking-glass/law-ish-adventures
For further insights on pseudolaw beliefs from a former adherent see Rob Sudy’s website https://freemandelusion.com/
D. Carson, The Sovereign Files, Unmasking Extremism, 2025, https://www.unmaskingextremism.com/.
© D. Carson, 2025. Some rights reserved, please cite appropriately.
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