The conservative vein that gave rise to Donald Trump's presidency; Brexit and the growth of far-right nationalism across Europe is here.

And it has found a home within the New Conservative Party.

The party - which emerged from Colin Craig's Conservatives - wants a full repeal of the post-Christchurch terror attack gun-laws. Its rhetoric has drawn comparisons to white nationalism.

Canterbury man Lee Williams has spoken out at rallies against what he sees as the infiltration of the West by people of colour.

"A New Zealand is going down the exact same path of importing in an alien culture that refuses to integrate," he is heard at a recent free-speech rally.

He has given his full backing to the New Conservative Party in another video on his page.

Auckland University senior lecturer in politics and international relations Dr Chris Wilson says such rhetoric can be dangerous.

"They focus on the importance and superiority of white civilization and the protection of white cultures and homelands in the West," he says. "These ideas are actually very dangerous; and they are motivating a number of people around the world, young white men in some of the most extreme cases to attack people of colour."

But New Conservative NZ party leader Leighton Baker rejects any suggestion his party is on the extreme right of the spectrum.

The farmer and businessman says he is "centrist", someone who believes in human rights.

"I'm a worker, I am a taxpayer, I am a father, I'm a grandfather...I don't believe that is extreme in any way."

When questioned over the fact there seems to be growing support from the far-right for the party he says it is beyond his control.

"We can't control what people are like...we've been really clear about what we are saying, so we can not actually control what other people say."

Baker is concerned New Zealand is losing its grip on democracy.

"It's a sliding step toward socialism," he says of the current political system. "If you had to choose between North Korea and South Korea most people wouldn't choose between North Korea.

"Now that's a bit extreme I get that, but it seems we are moving in that way."

His deputy, Elliot Ikilei, believes Western society is the one that affords people the greatest freedom.

"The greatest culture in the world is Western culture," he told a group of supporters at a recent public event in Wellington. "It is the one culture where freedom of speech is the cornerstone of that culture."

Ikilei has been a regular guest at free speech rallies. He's tough on crime and against race-based policies.

"We would get rid of Mori seats. We would get rid of anything that changes Mori to something special and high up," he says.

Among the party's other 22 candidates is right-wing activist - Dieuwe de Boer, who is standing in Botany.

The Conservative Christian made headlines in January when police raided his home in search of illegal firearms.

In 2019 he tried to find an alternative venue for alt-right speakers Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux.

He has said declining Western populations are being replenished by migrants - a theory that Christchurch shooter Brenton Tarrant referred to in his manifesto.

But he condemns the shooter's final act of terror, despite defending his right to air his views.

"I have been very outspoken against firearm amendment bills and outspoken for freedom of speech," he is heard saying in a recent Facebook video.

A play on the slogan popularised by Trump and an indication of the type of country the New Conservatives want.

See original here:

New Conservatives defend Western culture as 'greatest in the world', warn NZ 'sliding toward socialism' - Newshub