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A thesis examining the link between neo-Nazi and satanic beliefs in New Zealand has been taken off the shelves of Waikato University's library after a complaint from its subject.
Kerry Bolton, former secretary of extreme-Right organisation National Front, complained to the vice-chancellor and on a website called the thesis libellous and "little more than a malicious personal smear", the Dominion Post reported.
The author of the thesis, Roel van Leeuwen, won class honours for his work.
Mr van Leeuwen said yesterday his work was accurate and was not designed to attack Mr Bolton.
"But it's hard not being critical when you're writing about (neo-Nazi and satanic topics). There is some good work in my thesis and I would like to see it back on the shelves.
"I understand the university has a responsibility to investigate a complaint...but as a general principle these kind of beliefs need to be discussed in New Zealand."
Waikato University said the thesis had been removed from the library and the online publication while the complaints were investigated, but would not say if libel action had been threatened.
The work is titled Dreamers of the Dark: Kerry Bolton and the Order of the Left Hand Path; a Case-study of a Satanic/Neo Nazi Synthesis.
- NZPA
