Two bills that could end New Zealand’s dirty politics era — if politicians have the courage to pass them
I have documented corruption and abuse of electoral systems. These two bills provide the tools to fix it.
Grant McLachlan
Mar 299 min read
New Zealand’s entrenched culture of corruption
Australia was settled by convicts.
New Zealand was settled by conmen.
While Australia convicts corruption, New Zealand condones it because it never knew any better.
Grant McLachlan
Mar 2743 min read
Would they go to jail? Comparing New Zealand's corruption gap with Australia's integrity framework
New Zealand lacks the robust anti-corruption infrastructure that exists across every Australian state and at the federal level.
Grant McLachlan - Column
Dec 7, 202533 min read
The clandestine campaign to dismantle Jacindamania
The falls from grace of Helen Clark and Jacinda Ardern were not the result of democratic whim or policy failure, but rather the outcome of sophisticated, coordinated campaigns orchestrated by a network of right-wing political operatives who maintained the illusion of independent action while working in concert.
Grant McLachlan
Dec 6, 202531 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
Grant McLachlan
Nov 15, 20254 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 4, 202512 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 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.
Grant McLachlan - Column
Apr 26, 20259 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 31, 20254 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 6, 202523 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 29, 202517 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 28, 20257 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
