Three peace activists are behind bars tonight after using a sickle to pop one of the domes at the Waihopai spy station, near Blenheim.
The deflated dome provides protection for a satellite dish, which is now out of action.
The Prime Minister calls the act criminal vandalism, and the police have laid charges.
An Auckland Dominican prior was the first to be led to the court cells, followed by his two Christian co-accused, who made their reasons for the attack on a Government intelligence base clear.
Peter Munane, Samuel Land and Adriana Leason are referring to the operations of this satellite base in the Waihopai valley in Blenheim.
Shortly before six this morning, they cut their way through fences, and using a sickle, deflated one of the protective domes covering a satellite dish.
The trio, part of an international group called Ploughshares, claim the communications facility gives information to United States and British military intelligence agencies and in turn implicates New Zealand in those countries' wars.
But the plan did not run smoothly. A hired truck was to be used to scale the fence but it got stuck in mud after heavy rain.
Instead the group made their way on foot, stopping first to cut a neighbouring vineyard owner's fence.
For almost two decades the station has been eavesdropping on people in the Pacific.
Peace groups have targeted the Waihopai installation for years.
It is an unmissable, yet super-secret establishment. But this latest breach of such a high security site will be an embarrassment to the Government.
The damage is estimated at more then $1 million dollars. All three will reappear for a bail hearing on Monday.
source: newshub archive
