Sniper fire, grenade blasts and the crack of automatic weapons shattered the calm at Queen Elizabeth Park during elite close protection drills in Masterton yesterday.
Masterton Mayor Garry Daniell role-played an official introduction for a visiting dignitary during the mid-morning exercise, which featured the firing of blank rounds and smoke grenades as the climax of a seven-week close protection course run by the New Zealand Army Military Police.
Major Mark Bateman, NZ Army Military Police commanding officer, said less than 20 personnel were involved yesterday and other training exercises involving "men in black" had been earlier held in Wairarapa, including a staged VIP function at Poppies Martinborough vineyard and a drill at Lake Ferry.
He said 16 candidates had initially started the course before their number was pared down to nine and, eventually to the five men in black suits, shiny shoes, and dark shades who travelled to Masterton yesterday.
"Today requires only the best. These guys go to the next level providing close protection for dignitaries and any persons who may be at risk of assassination, abduction or assault."