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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 research-based 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.

Recent Pro-bono

Sparrow

Fix Hill Street Now

Featured Pro-bono

Media Coverage

Grant McLachlan

Sep 17, 2021
22 min

Feature

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...

PERSONA NON GRATA: Grant McLachlan - Column

May 4, 2021
8 min

PERSONA NON GRATA

Small minds in small communities

I smelt a rat at the Snells Beach Residents and Ratepayers Association AGM. So I set a trap.

Ex-ACT staffer Grant McLachlan says party created fake grassroots groups

Ruth Hill - Radio New Zealand

Apr 6, 2021
6 min

TVNZ

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.

Dopey economic theory causing social decline

PERSONA NON GRATA: Grant McLachlan - Column

Oct 14, 2020
4 min

PERSONA NON GRATA

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.

Kiwis are more corrupted than they think

Grant McLachlan

Oct 2, 2020
5 min

Column

Kiwis are more corrupted than they think

New Zealanders place more trust in their politicians and journalists than they should.

Why we should have zero tolerance for Act

PERSONA NON GRATA: Grant McLachlan - Column

Sep 29, 2020
4 min

PERSONA NON GRATA

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.

Astroturfs: Act Three of 'Dirty Politics'

Grant McLachlan

Sep 28, 2020
13 min

Feature

Astroturfs: Act Three of 'Dirty Politics'

The history of astroturfs in New Zealand is closely associated to the history of the Act Party.

Nuisance bylaws on dogs are the real nuisance

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column

Nov 27, 2018
3 min

New Zealand Herald

Nuisance bylaws on dogs are the real nuisance

(Click here to view the published article.) Auckland Council officials are yet to exceed my lowering expectations of them. Their proposed...

State agencies should know the limits of their power to spy

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column

Jun 21, 2018
3 min

New Zealand Herald

State agencies should know the limits of their power to spy

Click here to visit the link to the original article. Click on the image below to enlarge. The government spy agency, Security...

Council officials make mockery of Unitary Plan

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column

Mar 5, 2018
3 min

New Zealand Herald

Council officials make mockery of Unitary Plan

To visit the original article, please click here. There is little point having an Auckland Unitary Plan if council planners ignore it....

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column

Dec 13, 2017
3 min

New Zealand Herald

Environmental watchdog sorely needed

To view the original article, please click here. To read the above image, please right click and download the image. The estuary after to...

PERSONA NON GRATA: Grant McLachlan - Column

Dec 7, 2017
3 min

Column

Condoning does the most damage

The late Frank Haden wrote a piece about my experience with bullying. It was the only national coverage of my trial. As more allegations...

Phil Goff painting himself into corner over North Rodney

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column

Oct 25, 2017
3 min

New Zealand Herald

Phil Goff painting himself into corner over North Rodney

To view the original article, please click here. Auckland Mayor Phil Goff's position against a North Rodney referendum to break away from...

Protected trees are falling to council incompetence

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column

Oct 4, 2017
3 min

New Zealand Herald

Protected trees are falling to council incompetence

To view the original article, please click here. The Auckland Council is causing serious environmental damage due to decisions based on...

FACT CHECK: Was the Boathouse Bay decision predetermined?

Grant McLachlan

Sep 30, 2017
5 min

Feature

FACT CHECK: Was the Boathouse Bay decision predetermined?

The decision by Auckland Council to grant resource consent for a 33-dwelling intensive development called Boathouse Bay has shocked many...

Helping form new govt untried strategy for Peters

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column

Sep 27, 2017
3 min

New Zealand Herald

Helping form new govt untried strategy for Peters

To view the original article, please click here. For all the reasons Winston Peters should support a National or Labour-led government he...

FACT CHECK: Did Didsbury bury his complicity in Boathouse Bay?

Grant McLachlan

Sep 27, 2017
10 min

Feature

FACT CHECK: Did Didsbury bury his complicity in Boathouse Bay?

If you view this year’s 1 March issue of Mahurangi Matters, one thing stands out. Can you spot it?

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column

Mar 8, 2017
4 min

New Zealand Herald

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 - Hawke's Bay Today - Column

Aug 30, 2016
3 min

Hawke's Bay Today

No fault and no responsibility

We have a no fault system for personal injury and, in the light of the Havelock North water contamination epidemic,has ACC made us gormless?

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column

Sep 9, 2015
4 min

New Zealand Herald

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.

Featured Posts

Eco-terrorism Snells Beach style

Napier to Taupō road a sign of the country going backwards

Astroturfs: Act Three of 'Dirty Politics'

Our social security system isn't working

State agencies should know the limits of their power to spy

Council officials make mockery of Unitary Plan

Rail a saga of missed opportunities

Phil Goff painting himself into corner over North Rodney

Seven Sharp – Could this be New Zealand's worst intersection?

Helping form new govt untried strategy for Peters

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