The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has rubbished claims it's going to be "practising killing protesters" at an upcoming exercise in Auckland.
This weekend will see the Navy descend on Kauri Point on the North Shore for a four-day training exercise involving pyrotechnics, blank ammunition firing, drones and "actors simulating a crowd of protesters".
Auckland Peace Action said it was "disappointed, disturbed and disgusted" at the move, which comes amid unrest in the US which has seen heavily armed police and the National Guard deployed to quell protests, and the Police Commissioner's decision to ditch its Armed Response Teams.
"Is this what people believe a democratic society does?" Auckland Peace Action asked in a statement. "Is killing protesters the role of the Defence Force? Who or what are they defending, if they are killing people exercising democracy? ... It has been recognised this week that it is not okay for the police to be armed. Likewise the military must also stop being a threat to civilians and human life."
A spokesperson for the NZDF told Newshub the group's claims they were going to practise "killing protesters" were "absurd and abhorrent".
"This exercise taking place in Kauri Point is both routine and long-planned and entirely unconnected with protest events taking place around the world. The exercise... is part of routine HMNZS Otago preparation for operational activities. The scenario is set in a fictitious overseas location - ie not New Zealand."
The HMNZS Otago is a Protector-class offshore patrol vessel. Its duties have included search and rescue operations, transporting scientists and monitoring fishing activity.
"It is implausible that a group of people holding banners and calling for values would pose any threat. It is the violence that the Navy is performing, which threatens New Zealand’s peace," said Auckland Peace Action.
The NZDF said Navy personnel need to know what to do if they come across a group "with a hostile intent towards the ship and crew", among other scenarios - including rescuing civilians.
"These range from person overboard and firefighting drills to how to deal with a drone incursion, and how to ensure the safety of the ship and crew in the face of attempts to board it.
"This particular exercise would prepare the ship and crew for docking in a country where unrest is occurring, and where the vessel may be evacuating civilians, refuelling and resupplying, or taking part in security operations."
The operation was publicised "in order to avoid alarming the community, who may hear loud noises" the NZDF said.
It runs from Friday to Monday.
