Chapman was born in Taumarunui, New Zealand. He was the founding member of the New Zealand Hammerskins. In May 2009 Chapman married Claire Clifford, a Mormon, but they separated in October of the same year; Chapman had vowed to give up his far-right activities but Claire ended the relationship when he did not. He was convicted of fire-bombing a marae during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He has admitted to hurling Molotov cocktails at various buildings, including Ngāi TahuMurihiku Marae and a school.
Organisations
National Front
Chapman is a former leader of the New Zealand National Front, leading the organisation from 1997 to 2005. In 2005, he resigned his role as the leader of the National Front. He said in interviews that his children were being shunned at school due to his activities. He also cited the harassment by left wing anti-NZNF groups as a factor in his departure.
Right Wing Resistance
Chapman founded the Right Wing Resistance, a neo-Naziright-wing group, in Christchurch with a group of white nationalists. Chapman reportedly knighted the members with a sword after they recited a pledge. The group's insignia was a skull over a Wolfsangel, with the notation "NA 14". Its introduction to the New Zealand public was its Christchurch street patrols in October 2009, which appeared to target Polynesian youths. RWR members engaged in street patrols in New Brighton with the stated purpose of preventing vandalism by youth street gangs. The mayor of Christchurch denounced their vigilante behavior. Its street patrols included from 5 to 15 members, who had shaved heads. Also in October 2009, Chapman organized a rally at the Wellington cenotaph. The group attempted to recruit further members in Auckland. Press coverage resulted from distributions of flyers comparing immigration to an invasion, which were called "despicable" by the Race Relations Commissioner. It also helped organise protests and other street activities alongside the National Front. During the 2011 general election campaign, members of the group disrupted a candidate's election meeting in Christchurch appearing in military-style clothing. They stated that they would protest at polling booths throughout New Zealand on election day; however, this did not happen.
Survive Club
Chapman founded and led the Survive Club, a survivalist group that denied being a militia and denies any racist ties despite the histories of some of its members.
European-only community plans
In January 2009 an email was sent out concerning Chapman's plans to create a European culture "protected community" in North Canterbury. The email stated that his intention was to "build a unified mini state that we could build up in future to be a base for other like minded Europeans to come to from other dying countries." The email claimed the compound would have a school, accommodation, a meeting house for leaders, and a training area for sport fighting and survival training.
Running for offices
In 2004, he unsuccessfully contested the mayoralty of Christchurch, New Zealand, placing 5th out of 10 with 1.9 percent of the vote. In 2005, he was the tenth-ranked list candidate for the Direct Democracy Party. The party, which only contested the 2005 general election, did not achieve representation. He unsuccessfully contested the Christchurch mayoralty again in 2007, running this time under the National Democrats ticket. In 2013, Chapman ran again for the Christchurch mayoralty, but was unsuccessful, securing 499 votes. He also ran for the Ferrymead-Pegasus Local Board, securing 641 votes, but was also unsuccessful there.
After the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings Chapman said he had 'fallen out' with others in groups he used to belong in and 'turned his back' on them to focus on family and religion.
