Kyle Chapman (born April 27, 1971) is the leader of Right Wing Resistance (RWR) group and a former national director of the New Zealand National Front (NZNF). He was also a candidate for Mayor of Christchurch, first for the National Front, and then for the National Democrats Party.
Chapman was born in Taumarunui, New Zealand. He has said that he wanted to join the National Front from the age of 14, and that he was a skinhead during the 1980s and early 1990s. As a teenager he was a member of several skinhead groups. He was the founding member of the New Zealand Hammerskins. Over his time as a Skinhead he made major contributions to the skinhead movement in New Zealand. Several organizations were formed with his help to build a national unity in the fractured and conflict filled subculture.
He is a qualified social worker, and worked in Christchurch from 1993 to 1997, dealing with youths involved in street subcultures. He also served as the youth worker representative on the Safer Community Council in Christchurch from 1996 to 1997.
Christchurch mayoralty
In 2004, he unsuccessfully contested the mayoralty of Christchurch, New Zealand, placing fifth out of 10 with 1.9 percent of the vote (1665 votes). In 2005, he resigned his high-profile role as the leader of the National Front. He said in interviews that his children were being shunned at school due to his activities. He also cited the harassment of left wing anti-NZNF groups as a factor in his departure. He has since been the tenth-ranked list candidate for the Direct Democracy Party.
He unsuccessfully contested the Christchurch mayoralty again in 2007, running this time under the National Democrats ticket.
Survive Club
Chapman is the founder and leader of the Survive Club, a survivalist group.
Right Wing Resistance
As of 2009, Chapman is the leader of the Right Wing Resistance (RWR) group, which he describes as his National Alliance's "street arm". The group's insignia is a skull over a Wolfsangel, with the notation, "NA 14". A posting on the Nationalist Alliance called the RWR the "largest Right-wing organisation Christchurch has ever seen". RWR members have engaged in street patrols in New Brighton with the stated purpose of preventing vandalism by "Polynesian youths". Its street patrols have included from 5 to 15 members, who shave their heads. In October 2009, Chapman organized a rally at the Wellington cenotaph.
European-only community plans
In January 2009 an email was sent out concerning Chapman’s plans to create a European-only "protected community" in North Canterbury. The email stated that his intention was to “build a unified mini state that we could build up in future to be a base for other like minded Europeans to come to from other dying countries.” The email claimed the compound would have a school, accommodation, a meeting house for leaders, and a training area for sport fighting and survival training.
