Kiwi Solder Convicted Of Spying After Leaking Details Of All 15 People In Their Navy’s WhatsApp Group

ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

A New Zealand serviceman has today been convicted of espionage after leaking the membership of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s official WhatsApp group, a disclosure that, according to authorities, revealed the entirety of the country’s maritime defences in one go.

Among those outed were Commodore Angus McAllister, the group admin who owns the only working trailer for the fleet and Sub-Lieutenant Wiremu Rangi, celebrated for his ability to coax life into a clapped-out Evinrude. Also named were Commander Hamish MacGregor, known for bringing a thermos of Milo to operations, and Petty Officer Hine Kubu who can get his cousin Serevi in Melbourne to mail him bulk grey-market cigarettes, making him also popular on operations.

Lieutenant Alistair Campbell, in charge of navigation with a single grease-stained map of the Marlborough Sounds from 1989, was also exposed, alongside Seaman First Class Rawiri Te Puna, whose entire job is pulling the anchor. Lieutenant Dougal Sinclair, doubling as legal officer on account of his collection of Law & Order DVDs, appeared next to Seaman Second Class Manaia Korako, the morale officer with a well-travelled guitar.

Midshipman Fergus MacLeod, who handles logistics when his uncle’s trailer sailer is available, featured alongside Able Seaman Tane Mahutonga, regarded as the Navy’s strategist after leading Christchurch Boys High 7ths to a premiership in 2019. Ensign Lachlan Stewart, the weapons specialist because he’s from the farm, was listed together with Ensign Aroha Ngata who manages finance by keeping receipts in a waterproof Ziplock bag, with the cigarettes.

Also implicated were Petty Officer Isla Fraser, considered medical support after completing a first aid course in Australia and Commander Raukura Whaitiri, who generously allows the lake fleet to be stored at her family bach in Taupō. Chief Warrant Officer Roy Douglas, in charge of stores and beer, rounded out the roster of names leaked.

Authorities confirmed the fleet itself consists of three aluminium tinnies, a fibreglass canoe and a two-stroke jet ski that refuses to start, all except the canoe moored in Picton. Defence analysts say the leak is “as serious as it gets” for a nation whose Army is still widely understood to consist of two South Island rugby teams and a few ring-ins from Wellington.

Despite the severity of the charges, the convicted soldier is expected to avoid prison. Instead, insiders report he will be banned from the annual Forces v Firefighters touch rugby tournament, described by Defence officials as the harshest sanction available under New Zealand law.

More to come.