This book is even worse. I could spend most of the week detailing the untruths in it, but frankly there is no need. Just take a few.
He claimed the Taxpayers’ Union paid out a sexual harassment complaint against the CE. The TU Chair, Ruth Richardson, has put out a release saying she has consulted every former chair (and me), and can conclusively say that there was not only no payment in a sexual harassment case, there was no complaint. Call me old fashioned – but isn’t printing a false claim in a book without verification, umm dirty politics?
He claimed I supplied data from the National Party to the TU for their affordable housing campaign. This is 1000% false. It never ever happened (or would ever ever happen). The TU purchased some property data from a commercial property company. What sort of so called journalist publishes such an allegation without checking first?
He claimed he only started the book after the TU did a release in mid 2023 saying he was writing a book on them. He claimed former staff contacted him after that. This is false. He contacted former staff aggressively and persistently before then. I’ve seen the e-mails!
He claims I pushed the TU into engaging on the Three Waters issue as some sort of Maori bashing exercise. Again false. I did agree that the TU should engage on Three Waters, but on the issue of accountability – that if you have half the overseers of water companies not democratically accountable that is bad public policy – and that it would apply equally if the proposal was that Federated Farmers appoint half the overseers.
He claimed a former Chair left because of a change in the mission statement. False. The Chair had resigned before that change was debated and made. I could carry on and on.
Basically what we have learnt is that a hard left activist doesn’t like the Taxpayers’ Union. Hold the presses!
David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders
He claimed I supplied data from the National Party to the TU for their affordable housing campaign. This is 1000% false. It never ever happened (or would ever ever happen). The TU purchased some property data from a commercial property company. What sort of so called journalist publishes such an allegation without checking first?
He claimed he only started the book after the TU did a release in mid 2023 saying he was writing a book on them. He claimed former staff contacted him after that. This is false. He contacted former staff aggressively and persistently before then. I’ve seen the e-mails!
He claims I pushed the TU into engaging on the Three Waters issue as some sort of Maori bashing exercise. Again false. I did agree that the TU should engage on Three Waters, but on the issue of accountability – that if you have half the overseers of water companies not democratically accountable that is bad public policy – and that it would apply equally if the proposal was that Federated Farmers appoint half the overseers.
He claimed a former Chair left because of a change in the mission statement. False. The Chair had resigned before that change was debated and made. I could carry on and on.
Basically what we have learnt is that a hard left activist doesn’t like the Taxpayers’ Union. Hold the presses!
David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders
13 comments:
I always wondered why the media couldn't see the irony about Nicky Hager relying on hacked emails to complain about dirty politics.
They’re called the taxpayers union but they are neither a union nor do they represent anywhere near the majority of taxpayers. And they’re linked to the Atlas network and get funding from big tobacco.
Hagar is lying, is he? Then sue, David. Let us see the whole truth.
TPU clearly have their talking points decided and we will see the same from most of the right wing blog fronts over the coming days. Dirty, dirty politics indeed.
“The TU purchased some property data from a commercial property company”
David, there is so much more to this that you know about and you’re not saying. Why not be up front? Hager says you are untrustworthy and here you go displaying to all the world that he is on the money.
If you sue him, we can go through the full process of discovery and get to the bottom of he said she said. And if you’re so confident that he’s a liar, and that your lobby organisation has nothing to hide, then why not?
Something has smelled for years and you have been caught out. Time to stop the dirty shadow politics and front up. We’re sick of all the hot air.
How true, Anonymous 4:33am. People like Hager always suspect you of doing what they themselves would do.
Anon 7:12 & 8:06 . Your comments are possibly defamatory to the TPU and executive , however like many NZ'ers, I am a supporter of the TPU and their work .
The very direct accusations against the TPU and founders will ultimately, after the election be subject to legal scrutiny costs by public donation or by a litigious individual who understands that AI can assist Court preparation with minimal cost.
I wonder why Hager isn't prosecuted for stealing emails - property that does not belong to him, or have any legitimate right to possess or publish.
Why are the Police not involved ?
I also don't understand why the Maori Party has been allowed into Parliament with MPs elected using undeclared funds - election funds required to be declared by law.
At this election, sre they going to get away with this for the 3rd time ?
Our laws are being selectively applied.
Seems to me Hagar’s whole premise is that the TU uses its funding and influence to push a political agenda. On that basis I look forward to his follow up work on the PSA, Teacher’s union, NZNO etc etc.
Media has reported on tobacco donations to TPU for years, it is no secret. Jordan himself has admitted links to the Atlas network. Why does it take a book to wake up the electorate as to what is going on?
Quote from Basil Walker at 9:07: "... Anon 7:12 & 8:06 . Your comments are possibly defamatory to the TPU and executive... ". Quite so Basil, but unlike David and yourself, they cowardly hide behind "Anonymous".
Quote from Basil Walker at 9:07 am:-
".. Anon 7:12 & 8:06 . Your comments are possibly defamatory to the TPU and executive...."
But unlike David and your good self Basil, they lack the courage to put their names to their opinions.
Like so many brave supporters, on hearing of "Tricky Nicky's" latest "assassination" attempt, I immediately made (another) contribution to the TPU.
It seems to me that Hager’s whole schtick is to do investigations involving related parties and cross-verifying information and then providing that to the public. This seems incredibly biased.
To the 'Unknown' who suggested that we require readers submitting comments to "send a copy of their drivers license so we know who they are", that would put an end to most comments straight away, and I would become redundant.
It was Geoff Parker himself that suggested it many moons ago, wasn’t it? His ideas ought to carry weight around here.
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