Below is the press release for Know the Signs released by NZSIS to help anyone identify those who are priming themselves for conducting or supporting radical terrorist activity. Know the Signs is released after a year when there have been some huge, and sometimes quite violent gatherings, led by the same groups (trade unions, ANTIFA, Peace Action, Maori and green government MPs) that have been encouraging Islamic’s in NZ to ‘be themselves’. Yet almost every one of them would fit into this Know the Signs list of alert signals.
The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service has today released a public guide detailing observable behaviours and activities intelligence professionals find most concerning in individuals on a pathway to violent extremism.
NZSIS Director-General of Security Rebecca Kitteridge said it is hoped the guide, titled Kia mataara ki ng? tohu – Know the signs, a guide for identifying signs of violent extremism, will raise awareness of some of the key warning signs.
“We want to help New Zealanders feel reassured that their concerns are also likely to be our concerns. We hope they will then feel confident enough to share their information with us.”
The NZSIS has reviewed all terrorism-related incidents and investigations over the past 16 years to analyse the common behaviours and activities observed.
Almost 50 indicators have been identified and grouped into categories such as mindset and ideology; associations and relationships; and research and planning.
“More than 20 percent of our counter terrorism leads come from information provided by members of the public. Such leads are increasingly vital in a world where harmful activity can be carried out anonymously and without detection.
“We know lone actors pose the most likely violent extremist threat. The public may be better placed than authorities to see that threat, particularly at its early stages.”
The guide has been developed as a resource that will continue to be refreshed based on emerging evidence.
“I hope the guide can be used as the basis for informed discussions about the threat of violent extremism,” Ms Kitteridge said. “It’s about being alert to the threat but not alarmed. Resources like this show there are ways we can work together to keep each other safe.”
While this is the first time NZSIS has released a guide regarding observable behaviour or activities associated with violent extremism, there are a range of other resources it has produced for industry and government around mitigating the risks associated with foreign interference, espionage and insider threats.
Download the report here: Know The Signs released October 2022. (incidentally Byron Clark fits many of these! Also those ANTIFA and trade unionists involved in the Posie Parker riots in Albert Park.)
NZSIS releases first ever guide to help identify signs of violent extremism
