Stuff.co.nz: Kiwi links to Sydney race riot organisers

Australian extremist groups which drummed up racist sentiment at the Sydney riots last week have close links to New Zealand 'white nationalists'. Ultra-nationalist Australia First and its youth partner, the Patriotic Youth League, distributed anti-immigration pamphlets and bussed in supporters to the Cronulla riot. Skinheads wearing neo-Nazi emblems were among the mob of 5000 which chanted anti-Lebanese slogans and attacked people of Middle Eastern appearance. Former New Zealand National Front director Kyle Chapman counts Jim Saleam, leader of Australia First, as a friend. 'I've always considered myself quite a young leader - those older guys gave me a lot of support and a lot of wisdom,' said Chapman. Chapman quit as National Front leader this year, but he maintains weekly email contact with Saleam and last week was invited by Saleam to attend an Australian white nationalist forum early next year.