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
Grant McLachlan
Nov 154 min read
Politics101: The art of the false allegation
Political scandals involving allegations that are later unsubstantiated or dismissed represent a complex intersection of media, law enforcement, and democratic accountability.
Grant McLachlan
Aug 412 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.
Grant McLachlan - Column
May 3121 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.
Grant McLachlan - Column
Apr 269 min read
Is Auckland Council fascist?
“Fascism” is a strong word, but when examining recent events in Auckland Council governance, troubling parallels emerge.
Grant McLachlan - Column
Mar 314 min read
The serious crimes that Police won’t prosecute.
If the punishment is 14 years in prison, you’d think that Police would take the crime seriously, wouldn’t you?
Grant McLachlan
Feb 623 min read
Submission to Auckland Council in response to proposals for the northern end of Snells Beach
Submissions to the Rodney Local Board of Auckland Council on the Proposals of Megan Young and dog access rules for Snells Beach.
Grant McLachlan
Jan 3017 min read
The Politics of Stupid
Oscar Wilde said: "Life imitates art far more than art imitates life." In Snells Beach, life imitates the films Zoolander and Hot Fuzz.
Grant McLachlan - Column
Jan 287 min read
Groundhog Day at New Zealand's worst intersection
New Zealand's worst intersection symbolises decades of vested interests and dirty politics dividing an increasingly irrelevant community.
Grant McLachlan
Dec 12, 202411 min read
Auckland Council: Too big to care, too complex to control.
Auckland Council has grown so vast that watchdogs lack the resources to keep up, fostering a culture that often rewards dubious conduct.
Grant McLachlan
Oct 3, 20244 min read
R v McLachlan: What was Constable Fairbrass thinking?
You'd expect that a police constable with ambitions of becoming a detective would be careful with their investigations, wouldn't you?
Grant McLachlan
Aug 13, 202429 min read
Eco-terrorism Snells Beach style
It started as a group who appeared to be well-meaning bird photographers. When they failed to get recognition and legitimacy from...
Grant McLachlan
Sep 17, 202123 min read
Small minds in small communities
I smelt a rat at the Snells Beach Residents and Ratepayers Association AGM. So I set a trap.
Grant McLachlan - Column
May 4, 20218 min read
Ex-ACT staffer Grant McLachlan says party created fake grassroots groups
Political pundits and media experts are warning that artificial grassroots organisations are being used to manipulate public opinion.
Ruth Hill - Radio New Zealand
Apr 7, 20216 min read
Beware of List MPs hiding behind leaders
The Act Party list was announced on Sunday 28 June 2020. The most notable change to the list was the demotion of Deputy Leader Beth...
Grant McLachlan - Column
Oct 16, 20204 min read
Kiwis are more corrupted than they think
New Zealanders place more trust in their politicians and journalists than they should.
Grant McLachlan
Oct 3, 20205 min read
Why we should have zero tolerance for Act
Sex, drugs, fraud and bullying. What the Act Party doesn't want you to know this election.
Grant McLachlan - Column
Sep 30, 20204 min read
Astroturfs: Act Three of 'Dirty Politics'
The history of astroturfs in New Zealand is closely associated to the history of the Act Party.
Grant McLachlan
Sep 29, 202013 min read
NZ should raise the bar on corruption
Click here to view the original article. Nicky Hager's exposure of the underside of politics led to his privacy being violated by police....
Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column
Mar 9, 20174 min read
