17 activists arrested in New Zealand, denied bail. 300+ Police raid houses across the country

source: http://aotearoa.indymedia.org/
In a wave of massive state repression, 300+ Police, in many cases armed,
raided houses around the country today making 17 arrests. Search warrants
were carried out in Auckland, Whakatane, Ruatoki, Hamilton, Palmerston
North, Wellington and Christchurch. Police are also seeking up to 60
people for questioning. The arrestees are all activists in the Tino
Rangatiratanga, peace and environmental movements.

Prominent Tino Rangatiratanga activist Tame Iti was among the first
arrested at his home at 4am Monday morning. At 6am raids were carried out
at A Space Inside anarchist social centre in Auckland and the 128 activist
Community Centre in Wellington. In Tuhoe Country, the town of Ruatoki was
blockaded by armed police for several hours, with no cars allowed in and
many searched, including a school bus full of children.

14 of the arrestees appeared in court hearings in Auckland, Rotorua and
Wellington this afternoon and were all refused bail. All but two recieved
name supression. They have all been charged under the Arms Act with
various offences relating to alleged possesion of various firearms and
ammunition. More charges may be added in the future.