Operation 8

On October 15 2007, citing evidence of guerilla camps involving firearms training, police raided 60 houses across Aotearoa, many of them in Ruatoki, near Whakatāne. In production for almost as many years as the ensuing legal proceedings (although it was released before the trial began), this provocative documentary proposes that the so-called “anti-terrorism” raids were bungled, racist and needlessly terrifying to children. The film’s subtitle ‘Deep in the Forest’ is inspired by ex Red Squad second-in-command Ross Meurant, who argues that as police move into specialist units they grow increasingly paranoid.

The problem with the police is it's like being in a forest, and the further you get into the forest, the more paranoid you become.

– Interviewee Ross Meurant, ex Red Squad second in command

Key Cast & Crew

Errol Wright

Co-Director, Editor, Camera, Sound, Producer

Abi King-Jones

Co-Director, Editor

Alister Barry

Consultant

Gaylene Preston

Consultant

Matt Stutter

Sound