Hit and Run

By Nicky Hager and John Stephenson

This book has hit the headlines this week in New Zealand. Its calling for an independent inquiry into what some may call a war crime.

'Investigative Journalism' is not a priority in New Zealand. The media, it seems is more of a echo chamber for government and big business. It seems that the press only goes so far when 'calling power to account'. I believe it is their principle role in a democracy. Its why I watch Q&A or The Nation. Why I listen to John Campbell and Duncan Garner when I can on the radio. There is only a handful reporters, let alone news outlets that take this role seriously.

Nicky Hager and John Stephenson have done that here, which is why I sent $30 on the book. Not only to read for myself of issues at hand but feel like I am paying them to do such work on my behalf.

Synopsis

In August 2010, a New Zealand soldier died in a roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan. In retaliation, the New Zealand SAS led a raid on two isolated villages in search of the fighters they suspected were responsible.
They all knew the rules. Prior to firing weapons, their freshly issued orders said, 'the commander approving the strike must determine that no civilians are present.' If they could not assess whether civilians were present, firing was prohibited. But it all went horribly wrong.

Great summary of events described in the book found here.

Authors

Nicky Hager is a New Zealand investigative journalist. He has produced six books since 1996, covering topics such as intelligence networks, environmental issues and politics.

 Jon Stephenson is an Auckland-based investigative journalist with extensive experience reporting conflict and trauma.

My opinion:

Despite Nicky Hager's reputation as having a flare for the dramatic I am of the opinion that the New Zealand government need to initiate an independent inquiry.

These are serious allegations that Hager and Stephenson are making and they are being refuted in the strongest possible terms by Tim Keating and others from the Defense Force, someone is not being truthful.

If Tim Keating is correct about the NZ SAS forces working in another village that night, elsewhere, then I am sure an independent inquiry will bring that to light and the Defense Force will be vindicated.

However, having read the book, at this point I found myself convinced by Jon Stephenson's version of events.

I was shocked and saddened to think that my government would condone such actions and respond in such a questionable when these allegations have come to light.

I believe the New Zealand public needs to be convinced that this mess is brought to a fair and satisfactory conclusion and I don't see us being satisfied by the Prime Minister merely saying that he is happy with the Defense Force saying they were simply not involved.

Finally, I am concerned that if the New Zealand public allow the government to sweep this under the carpet our integrity and standing as a nation may well be compromised.

Let's have an independent inquiry which can sift the truth from the lies.

 

How do you feel about the allegations made in the Hit & Run book reported this week in NZ media this week? 

 

Other books by this author: 

Hit & Run: The New Zealand SAS in Afghanistan and the meaning of honour (2017)
Dirty Politics: How Attack Politics is Poisoning New Zealand's Political Environment  (2014)
Other People's Wars: New Zealand in Afghanistan, Iraq and the war on terror (2011)
The Hollow Men: A Study in the Politics of Deception (2006)
Seeds of Distrust: the story of a GE cover-up (2002)
Secrets and Lies: The Anatomy of an Anti-Environmental PR Campaign (2002)
Secret Power: New Zealand's Role in the International Spy Network (1996)