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
Why Police Commissioner Richard Chambers is the problem and should resign.
Instead of investigating complaints that a police station was operated by unvetted and unsupervised volunteers, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers instead abused police resources to dig dirt on the complainant to use as an excuse to discredit the complainant and dismiss the complaint. I sent this email to the Commissioner, calling for him to resign.
Grant McLachlan
May 2715 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
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.
Grant McLachlan
Apr 166 min read
ALEC's global reach: How US corporate interests drive New Zealand's punitive justice policies
New Zealand's Act Party, Sensible Sentencing Trust, and New Zealand Taxpayers' Union simply echo US think tanks. Why?
Grant McLachlan - Column
Apr 1212 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
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
Warkworth's celebrity crooked cop culture
When I filmed the mother of a cop break my nose, several cops told me to not share the footage with Warkworth Police.
Grant McLachlan
Sep 25, 202418 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
Photo evidence thwarts farcical prosecution.
"If Mr McLachlan hadn't taken those four photos, would anyone even consider his version of events?"
- Tudor Clee, R v McLachlan
Grant McLachlan
Feb 10, 20245 min read
How much of our culture is contrived?
Is our changing culture making us any the wiser Grant McLachlan asks.
Grant McLachlan
Sep 21, 20234 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
Dopey economic theory causing social decline
The Herald headline read "Auckland Council golf courses a $2b-plus development bonanza." Here is the column challenging it.
Grant McLachlan - Column
Oct 14, 20204 min read
