James Fairburn is a New Zealand far-right extremist who served as the leader of Action Zealandia, a white nationalist and neo-Nazi group, from approximately 2019 to 2021. Operating under the online codename "Hector," Fairburn was a former New Zealand Army communications operator and Army Reservist whose far-right activities drew significant media and law enforcement attention.
Background and Military Service
Fairburn served as a communications operator in the New Zealand Army and later as an Army Reservist. In June 2020, investigative journalist Marc Daalder reported that Fairburn had attempted to use his reservist status to secure an "E" endorsement for his firearms license, which at the time would have allowed him to purchase military-style semi-automatic weapons. The New Zealand Defence Force confirmed in November 2020 that Fairburn was no longer in the Army Reserves, though it was not disclosed whether he resigned or was removed.
Far-Right Activities
Fairburn was active in far-right online spaces, participating in at least two Discord channels in 2018 where he discussed his military experience, New Zealand politics, and his pursuit of a firearms license. He promoted the "Great Replacement" or white genocide conspiracy theory, which falsely claims that a cabal of elites is fostering non-white immigration to displace white populations.
In 2018, Fairburn lodged a petition with the New Zealand Parliament requesting priority visa consideration for white South African farmers, citing the debunked conspiracy theory that the South African government is committing genocide against its white minority. He also ran a far-right blog and was active on Reddit, where he wrote about alleged connections between New Zealand politicians and the Chinese government.
Leadership of Action Zealandia
As of August 2021, Fairburn was identified as the leader of Action Zealandia, a white nationalist group that emerged in 2019 following the Christchurch mosque shootings as a successor to the Dominion Movement. The group promotes white nationalism, anti-immigration, anti-Māori sentiment, antisemitism, and Islamophobia, while also emphasising masculinity, physical fitness, and environmental sustainability.
Under Fairburn's leadership, Action Zealandia was linked to multiple potential crimes, including an online threat against Christchurch's Al Noor Mosque, the posting of a leaked police Financial Intelligence Unit document, and alleged plans to start a terror cell and purchase weapons from overseas extremist groups such as the Atomwaffen Division.
Later Developments
Fairburn stated in January 2023 that he had not been involved with Action Zealandia since September 2021. In 2025, the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand admitted to failures in its hiring processes after it was revealed that both Fairburn and another individual linked to Action Zealandia, Jordan Milburn, had been employed by the authority.
Other Individuals Named James Fairburn
The name "James Fairburn" also refers to several other individuals, including:
- A lawyer at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) in the UK, specialising in insurance and reinsurance law.
- A Deputy Director of Financial Stability Strategy and Analysis at HM Treasury in the United Kingdom.
- A Chartered Chemical Engineer and Process Safety Leader working in industrial safety.
- A Senior Creative Art Director in advertising.
- A man convicted alongside Stuart Penney for a series of cash machine explosions across northern England, stealing over £300,000.
