A video showing a leading member of a New Zealand neo-Nazi group raising his hand in a Nazi salute before lifting dumbbells was posted onto hidden chatrooms for an audience of Australian neo-Nazis.

A leaked security manual allegedly prepared by neo-Nazi group Action Zealandia reveals its members' attempts to avoid being interviewed by spies.

The document, which includes a "code of conduct" for members, reveals a level of sophistication that is "new and concerning", according to an expert in New Zealand's neo-Nazi groups.

Stuff has been provided the security manual by the anti-fascist activist group Paparoa, which it says was leaked by someone within Action Zealandia.

Detailed in the manual are the powers held by police, Security Intelligence Service (SIS), and Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), and members are instructed to refuse all attempts to be interviewed.

DAVID UNWIN/STUFF Professor Paul Spoonley said the manual was more sophisticated than anything he's seen in 40 years of studying the far-Right in New Zealand.

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"One of the police departments that may be encountered is the Special Investigations Group, which investigates threats to national security," the manual reads.

"The NZSIS are trained to coerce information from you ... The SIS will also refuse to give you their last names. This is likely a standard operating procedure for them."

"These interviews are often surprisingly pleasant in nature, and they will attempt to build rapport with you."

If a member has failed to stay silent in an interview, they are instructed to report this to the "group security manager".

To avoid scrutiny from authorities and political adversaries, such as anti-fascist groups, members are advised to apply to have their name hidden from the electoral roll and change their phone numbers.

SCREENGRAB Excerpts from the manual details how to avoid detection by authorities, and stay silent if being interviewed.

There is advice on locking down social media accounts and using "destructive software" to delete controversial or sensitive computer files.

"Sound security is the basis of a professional operational organisation," the manual reads.

The documents details two levels of "vetting" conducted for members of the group: "green", which means a recent recruit; and "blue", for members who have gone through additional vetting.

How people are vetted is not specified.

Do you know more? Email thomas.manch@stuff.co.nz

SCREENGRAB An excerpt from a security manual allegedly produced by neo-Nazi group Action Zealandia.

Members are told to never break the law, otherwise they may be booted from the organisation. A detailed explanation of laws governing hate speech and objectionable material has been included.

The document does not specifically name the group. Stuff has been unable to independently verify the source of the document, but many aspects point to the neo-Nazi group being the author.

Action Zealandia has in recent weeks stickered its message at University of Auckland and on signage at National Party electorate offices.

The manual advises members to take extra precautions when conducting stickering "operations", which are meant to target public property and gain public attention.

If members fail to plan for possible confrontation while stickering — "Do you hide your faces? Do you split up?" — the document says their leader will be formally reprimanded.

SCREENGRAB Stuff has obtained a raft of messages and images sent by the neo-Nazi leader.

Massey University professor Paul Spoonley, who first researched New Zealand neo-Nazi groups in the 1980s, said he had not seen "anything so comprehensive or as sophisticated".

"It is very different from anything I have seen before. It reinforces the point that I and others have been making – there is a degree of sophistication, especially in relation to online far right activities, which is new and concerning."

"The material on stickering suggests that this is targeted at the membership of Action Zealandia," he said.

Massey University defence and security lecturer Terry Johanson questioned whether Action Zealandia created the document to change the public's perception about the group, or bring its members into line.

The document could have been "planted" to publicise the group's claimed passive activism, he said.

SCREENGRAB Members of Action Zealandia, a far-right group that begun recruiting for members at the end of July 2019.

Johanson said the document appeared to contain information readily available online, though he noted similarities between the group's guidelines with that of insurgency groups.

"If you look at Mao's strategy for an insurgency it talks about nine rules," Johanson said.

"Always being respectful to people, not being overly aggressive and having moral superiority is one of the key things for both insurgence and counter-insurgency groups when they're undertaking operations in conflict areas. They don't break the law so they have that moral high ground. They're saying their actions and their words are consistent."

Stuff on Monday revealed messages allegedly sent by a leader of Action Zealandia to fellow neo-Nazis in hidden chatrooms on the encrypted messaging app Telegram.

The messages show the group continues to organise within encrypted chatrooms, and appeared to reveal a willingness to commit crimes.

Two people affiliated with the group have recently been arrested: 19-year-old Sam Brittenden after a threat was made to worshippers at the Al Noor mosque, and a 27-year-old soldier who has been charged with the unauthorised sharing of military information that prejudiced New Zealand's national security. Brittenden has been charged with failing to assist with a search warrant.

'CODE OF CONDUCT'

A code of conduct contained in the security manual said to be sourced from Action Zealandia instructs members on the following:

* Use a pseudonym when communicating with other group members.

* Get permission from leaders before publishing any photos, which need "appropriate censorship" to hide identities.

* Never discuss firearms on the group's main communication line.

* Wear a collared shirt to social gatherings, at restaurants, bars, or other public meetings.

* "Illegal activities will never be promoted in our group, so if that's what you're looking for, look elsewhere".

* Members are expected to workout. "We also have a public image to maintain".