The first witness in the trial of the "Urewera Four" is expected to be cross-examined by defence lawyers in the High Court in Auckland today.
Tame Iti, Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara, Emily Bailey and Urs Signer all face charges of participating in an organised criminal group and of unlawful possession of firearms.
Crown prosecutor Ross Burns told the jury during his opening address yesterday that the four accused were the organisers of military-style training camps in and around Ruatoki, and they intended to carry out serious violent offences.
The first Crown witness, the police officer who oversaw the installation and retrieval of footage from surveillance cameras around Ruatoki, began giving evidence on yesterday afternoon.
He will be cross-examined by defence teams today.
The Crown expects to call nearly 90 witnesses in the trial, which is scheduled to take up to three months.
Yesterday the court saw footage taken from hidden cameras of the accused and other people dressed in military-style clothing, heavy boots, scarves and balaclavas and holding guns during the camps.
The Crown also revealed in court transcripts of text messages, emails and internet chat room conversations.
Mr Burns said the purpose of the camps was to establish Tuhoe as a separate governing state.
However, defence lawyers for Signer and Bailey told the jury during their opening addresses to keep an open mind when hearing the evidence.
NZN