Column

Publishing • Production • Communications

Showreel

Books

Unleashed

Sex, rackets & vigilantes in

New Zealand's most corrupted community.

He wrote about vigilantes during the Covid lockdowns.

What could possibly go wrong?

How a clique used their council and police connections to try to silence an investigative writer through a series of stitch ups. This Kafkaesque farce delves into a community often at the centre of many New Zealand corruption scandals.

Matakana War Memorial heritage application

Fix Hill Street Now: TVNZ Gutsful episode

Fix Hill Street Now: Visit the campaign website

Matakana War Memorial heritage application

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Welcome to Klaut.

Klaut is the publishing, production, and communications company of Grant McLachlan – a New Zealand-based writer. Grant is a prolific investigative writer of fiction and non-fiction for newspapers, books, and screen.

A former hearings commissioner, barrister, and solicitor, Grant has worked in the public and private sectors, ranging from a Parliamentary researcher and campaign director to a planner and infrastructure specialist. His columns in New Zealand newspapers and his pro-bono work has assisted many people involved in disputes with central and local government authorities.

On this site you will find links to his current and past work. There are several projects in development so please watch this space.

Sparrow

A Chronicle of Defiance

An epic account of The Sparrows

- Battle of Britain gunners who defended Timor as part of Sparrow Force in 1942.

It is the story of Charlie McLachlan's war: a triumph of stubborn Scottish defiance and laconic Aussie genius over the relentless violence of man and nature. Charlie survives and bears witness to some of the landmark days of World War II.

Media Coverage

The man who made everyone feel larger than life

I had chronicled Sir Tim for twenty-five years, and in that time, he never once disappointed me with his generosity.

Column

Grant McLachlan

10 hours ago3 min read

Democracy demands more than blind obedience

Road safety campaigner Geoff Upson raised valid concerns, yet the comment section revealed a disturbing civic illiteracy about how democracy actually works.

Column

Grant McLachlan

Dec 15, 20253 min read

The Long Road to Parihaka: A Writer's Journey

I never set out to become a writer. Like most paths that matter, it chose me rather than the other way around.

Column

Grant McLachlan

Dec 10, 20258 min read

New Zealand's Property-Industrial Complex: A democratic warning

In his 1961 farewell address, President Eisenhower warned America about the military-industrial complex. In 2024, New Zealand faces its own existential threat: the property-industrial complex has consumed our democracy whole.

PERSONA NON GRATA

Grant McLachlan - Column

Dec 9, 20254 min read

When good intentions paved the road to gridlock: New Zealand’s cycleway saga

I used to cycle across town to school without a second thought about safety. The roads were shared space, drivers watched out for cyclists, and common sense prevailed. That was before cycling became an industry.

Column

Grant McLachlan

Dec 3, 20254 min read

The Immigration Tap: How National turned a housing crisis into a growth strategy

For nearly a decade, National governments have run the same cynical playbook: when the economy falters, turn on the immigration tap. It’s economic fraud masquerading as policy.

Column

Grant McLachlan

Nov 30, 202510 min read

New Zealand’s corruption illusion: A Police scandal exposes the myth

This week's damning IPCA report on the McSkimming scandal exposes New Zealand's corruption paradox: ranked third globally for clean governance, yet complaints go un-investigated by compromised oversight bodies. Without a truly independent anti-corruption commission with powers like Australia's ICAC, New Zealand's squeaky-clean reputation remains an illusion sustained by institutional complicity, political cronies embedded in civil service, and media silence born from revolvin

Column

Grant McLachlan

Nov 15, 20254 min read

The cynical motives behind Maori representation

The establishment of Maori seats in New Zealand’s Parliament in 1867 tells a story of political calculation rather than progressive idealism.

Column

Grant McLachlan

Aug 18, 20253 min read

'Ruling the Roost': How a council staffer created her own private fiefdom.

Imagine a job where you could live the life of a lord where you rule by decree and can act with impunity. Welcome to the life of Megan Young.

PERSONA NON GRATA

Grant McLachlan - Column

May 31, 202521 min read

Freedom fighters or freedom frauds? The Act Party’s local government hypocrisy

Act want to run candidates at this year's local body elections. But local body politicians who were previously Act candidates at the general election are retiring. Their track records speak for themselves.

Column

Grant McLachlan - Column

Apr 26, 20259 min read

Investigative journalism master class eviscerating corrupt council

In an era when media organisations frantically downsize, replacing substance with clickbait and advertorial content, a remarkable counter-narrative is unfolding in Queenstown.

Column

Grant McLachlan

Apr 16, 20256 min read