Criminal, Political, and Social Groups
The Gangs
The single biggest criminal element in New Zealand is the gangs. Not really an organised
criminal syndicate in the traditional sense, the gangs could be best described as
highly disreputable social clubs. The two biggest gangs are Black Power and the Mongrel Mob,
both of which operate nationwide with many local chapters. Their major
activities include gambling, low-tech drug manufacture, prostition, blackmail,
intimidation, and posturing against each other.
As a rule they avoid high-tech crimes (data piracy and xoxing) and any overt
violent acts that would bring major police attention.
The gangs survive in the modern world simply because they are the sort of
widespread low-level thuggery that even fifth-wave technology has a hard time
stamping out. Since most of their crimes are of the sort where the victims are willing
participants (such as gambling, illegal drugs, and prositution) the police
recieve few complaints about them.
Maori Activists
Maori rights have been an issue in New Zealand since the signing of the treaty of
Waitangi in 1840. Settlements on the last treaty claims were finally resolved by
2020, however there remains a group number of dissatisified Maori. Some of these
believe that the treaty guarantees Maori full sovereignty over the whole of New Zealand,
others are part of groups that missed out on settlements for some reason. Activists are
usually non-violent, although they are quite willing to conduct distruptive
occupations and sit-ins. Most activists operate out of one of the semi-autonomous
iwi districts.
The Greens
One of the big three political parties in New Zealand, the Greens are highly
conservative and center-left. Their policies are biochauvinist and preservationist.
They oppose the creation of bioroids (and to a lesser extent uplifts and parahumans)
but are in favour of full rights for all sapient entities. Green support is
highest amoungst the elderly. The parties support has soared in the last twenty years,
as LAIs and SAIs become commonplace. and it is a distinct possibility that the
2101 elections could see them with a majority in parliment for the first time.
Labour
Another of NZ's big political parties, Labour is mildly conservative, and left to
extreme left. It favours massive social spending, which gives it support both from the
eldarly (who approve of health spending) and the working classes (who approve of
greater welfare). Quite a few Labour members hold
nanosocialist sympathies, however tensions with the TSA have made this somewhat unfashionable,
and the party has not expressed it as policy.
National
Currently leading a coalition government with several far-right parties,
National is another of the big three NZ political entities. Its policies are center right,
and some of it's members favour Australian-style anarchocapitalism. During it's latest
term National has decreased welfare, a highly unpopular move that will probably see it
lose seats in the 2101 election.
The Returned Sericeperson's Association
The RSA is a social group with a long history in New Zealand. Membership, initially
only open to those who had served in the armed forces, was opened up to the public at
large in the 1990's, and then closed again in the 2040's. Current policy is that only
those who have or are serving may be full members, but anyone over 18 may become
an associate member. The RSA forms a strong pressure group, with particular influence
over the National party. It favours stronger links with Australia, greater defense
spending, and a hard-line stance on crime.
The Greater Consciousness League
An extreme transhumanist group, members of the consciousness league believe that
improving oneself is the most important goal of all sapient life. It's membership
consists of a mixture of bored elderly and depressed youths, all looking for
something more from life. Many of these people are willing to experiment with
new and radical technologies, or to use existing but illegal technologies. Major
activities of the league include assisting members in acquiring such
improving technologies, and advancing the cause of pan-sapient rights and freedoms.