How did the search for Osama bin Laden become a global witch-hunt for political dissenters - reaching even to the South Pacific?

In 2007, the excesses of the post-9/11 War on Terror hit home in New Zealand, when the government staged a coordinated series of raids on activists across the country. In addition to environmental activists and peaceful anarchists, the indigenous Tuhoe independence movement made a particular target, with a massive raid carried out against what was alleged to be a terrorist training camp deep within the Urewera ranges.

Operation 8 investigate the Tuhoe raids and their aftermath, and question how a global witch-hunt allowed a government to suppress the legitimate political dissent of a group of independence and peace activists.

Errol Wright and Abi King-Jones are guests of the Festival.

D Errol Wright, Abi King-Jones P Errol Wright TD digibeta/2011