“Inside New Zealand: NZSAS: First Among Equals is a world first, exclusive documentary series about the inner workings of this country’s most famous fighting elite - the top 1% of the New Zealand Defence Force - better know as the NZSAS.
For three years, award-winning filmmakers Desert Road enjoyed unprecedented and unparalleled access to this world-renowned but never-before-seen Special Force.
During this time, Desert Road’s cameras followed 50 hopefuls over many gruelling months, as they are moulded from raw soldiers into highly-skilled troopers of NZ SAS calibre, ready to deploy overseas and participate in the Global War on Terror – at a moment’s notice.
The four-part documentary series reveals remarkable footage from life at the very heart of the unit’s head quarters, to the central North Island plateau and the sub-zero temperatures of the Southern Alps, from 12,000 feet above Auckland city, to the battlegrounds of Afghanistan.
Follow the small five man patrols as they train to expert levels in a multitude of skills, including parachuting, marksmanship, demolitions, infiltration, survival techniques and communications.
The trainees are pushed to their very limits as they perform tasks and exercises in every terrain and situation imaginable. They’re at the very pinnacle of physical fitness and mental aptitude.
Part one of the series follows the infamous ten day NZSAS selection course. Failure to complete one of the first day’s barrage of physical challenges in the allotted time means instant disqualification.
This includes a 60km open-country navigation with a full pack, enforced sleep and food deprivation.
The NZSAS demands these incredibly high standards because it knows that all of these hard mental, physical and emotional challenges have been faced by NZSAS soldiers on real missions; such as in the Malayan jungle in 1955.
This elite fighting Unit was developed in North Africa during WWII where Kiwis were part of the original SAS and Long Range Desert Group." TV3; tv3.co.nz; 31/05/2007
Interviewed: Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, Lieutenant Colonel David Oglivy, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Kelly, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Blcakwell, Sergeant Major Dirk Millar, Captain Mike Carston, Flight Sergeant Lev Leatherland.