16 Oct 2010

Raids accused tell their stories in new book

6:00 am on 16 October 2010

A book telling the stories of 15 of the people involved in the nationwide police raids in 2007 has been launched in Wellington.

Eighteen people face charges under the Arms Act, as a result of the raids which mostly focused on the settlement of Ruatoki in Bay of Plenty on 15 October, 2007.

The raids were conducted under the Terrorism Suppression Act.

Five people are also charged with participating in a criminal group.

The book, The Day the Raids Came, is edited by one of the accused, Valerie Morse, who faces three charges.

Ms Morse, who is also a librarian and archivist, says she compiled it so there would be a public account of the stories of those whose homes were raided.

She and others say their arrests and the wait for a trial have devastated their and their families' lives.

Their trial is due to begin at the High Court in Auckland on 30 May next year.