Flag Debate | klaut

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

Flag Referendum Post Mortum

Now that the referendum result is final, we wish to provide some thoughts. The second flag referendum result has some interesting factors: That the result is surprisingly similar to Australia's 1999 referendum to retain the Queen as head of state; That, although the turnout was 67%, the result was closer than most would have thought; That the Kiwimeter polling suggests that a significant proportion of those who supported the current flag may have wanted to change the flag bu

Press Release

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column

Mar 25, 20164 min read

Summer break may cure us of flag fatigue

Original article can be found here. The flag referendum should be delayed until after the summer, writes Grant McLachlan. I empathise...

Otago Daily Times

Grant McLachlan

Sep 24, 20153 min read

The flag process is not New Zealand Idol

Original article can be found here. New Zealand Idol should never have been used as a template for the Flag Consideration Panel....

New Zealand Herald

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column

Sep 17, 20154 min read

Flag debate now a political turf war

The Flag Consideration Panel asked for the 'expert' advice of a Nike sportshoe designer who previously designed washing machines.

New Zealand Herald

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column

Sep 10, 20154 min read

Taking a leaf from Canada's flag debate

Original article here Will we get a political doodle for a flag, a celebrity-driven choice, or a timeless icon, asks Grant McLachlan. New Zealand appears to be repeating what happened in Canada 50 years ago when Canada chose a new flag. But I doubt we will end up with a new national icon. In Canada during 1964, initial designs proposed by a "special flag committee" were rejected. Canadians had submitted 3541 designs. Of those, 2136 contained the maple leaf (their silver

New Zealand Herald

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column

Aug 13, 20154 min read