https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/30-06-2020/why-are-conspiracy-theorists-monitoring-yachts-in-aucklands-viaduct/
JUNE 30, 2020 (year old story)
Why are conspiracy theorists monitoring yachts in Auckland’s Viaduct?
The “sovereign citizens” movement has reached New Zealand, and their focus is Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour. Here’s what’s going on down there.
A small group has been keeping watch over several yachts in the Auckland Viaduct, led by former union organiser Sharna Butcher. They make various allegations, the most serious of which is that yachts currently berthed in Auckland are involved in child trafficking, and that the government is aware of this.
The group’s theories have been amplified on social media, particularly Instagram, attracting the attention of Niu FM host Monzee and freelance writer Ben Vidgen, and their cause has been signal boosted by interactions with Millie Elder Holmes and rugby players Eliota Sapolu and Billy Vunipola.
What is a sovereign citizen?
These are citizens of a country that believe they are beholden only to their own interpretation of the country’s laws. It began in the US, but has been spreading throughout the Commonwealth recently.
Which yachts do they have a problem with?
As outlined in a Twitter thread below, the protests – more of a standing watch – are focused on superyacht The Dancing Hare, but several others are also of note to protestors. One is The Beast, owned by jewellery millionaire Sir Michael Hill; another is Senses, owned by Google co-founder Larry Page.
The Viaduct harbourmaster confirmed to The Spinoff that all three of these yachts had been in New Zealand prior to lockdown.
‘The Dancing Hare’ super yacht, which is linked to Ghislaine Maxwell (Robert Maxwell’s daughter) mistress of the known pedophile, Jeffrey Epstein, is docked here in Auckland at Silo Marina
— kid. (@kidtheash) June 24, 2020
The Dancing Hare has a somewhat chequered past. It was the yacht publishing mogul and fraudster Robert Maxwell was cruising on when he drowned in the Canary Islands. At the time of his death, the yacht was named the Lady Ghislaine, after Maxwell’s daughter Ghislaine Maxwell (the alleged partner of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in both crime and life).
However, The Dancing Hare has changed owners and been entirely refitted since the incident.
Stuff reports the yacht has been in New Zealand since January, two months before borders closed. The new owners and the identities of those currently on board are unknown. However, it’s registered to a French company named Touille, and is flying the Marshall Islands flag.
According to the Ports of Auckland log, the Samaya – owner unknown but alleged (by Butcher and co) to be Ghislaine Maxwell – arrived in Auckland today. Its last known port was also Auckland, so, at least on paper, it’s not a new arrival to the country.
What are these yachts alleged to be doing?
Allegedly, trafficking children and venting hydrogen cyanide into the harbour. The full thread states that Australia and New Zealand are “two of the most largest child trafficking/sex trafficking hubs in the world”, which is a horrible thought but also not true. The UN global report on trafficking does not rank countries, but it’s clear New Zealand and Australia are not large hubs in comparison with a swathe of other countries.
The thought that child abuse is going on under our noses is terrifying, and of course is stirring people into action. The evidence the group has collected to prove it’s happening is – again, allegedly – torn children’s clothing and cable ties found in the harbour rubbish, and an image of a white rabbit on The Dancing Hare (rabbits and hares are very closely related). White rabbit imagery is associated with the nebulous chemical compound adrenochrome.
The group has alleged the harbourmaster has allowed hydrogen cyanide to vent into the harbour via these yachts. When asked, Auckland Council said it was not aware of any hydrogen cyanide venting in the city, and said it wasn’t something it measured for. Hydrogen cyanide is a deadly chemical that was used as a genocidal agent by the Germans in World War II.
She has also stated in a video update that spiritual ascension warriors will “flood those tunnels”, but it’s unclear if this is a metaphor or literal.