David Lillis: The Atlas Network in New Zealand?

The Atlas Network in Our Media

Though well-known beforehand here in New Zealand, the Atlas Network (Atlas, 2025) came into particular prominence when Mihingarangi Forbes talked to David Seymour in an interview produced for Radio New Zealand by the Aotearoa Media Collective (Forbes, 2024).

David Farrar: The Atlas conspiracy theory continues

Joshua Drummond writes:

To recap, quickly: The Atlas Network is a “think tank that creates think tanks“; a global network of more than 500 right-wing think tanks and lobby groups. New Zealand members of Atlas include the Taxpayers' Union and the New Zealand Initiative (formed from a merger of two think tanks, one of which was the infamous Business Roundtable.)

This, like everything else, is wrong. Atlas does not create think tanks. It did not create the NZBR, the NZ Initiative or Taxpayers Union. I know. I co-founded the NZTU and don't think I had even heard of Atlas when I did.

Dr Oliver Hartwich: An Atlantic task

Never lead the Titans to revolt against the Olympian gods. It can cause a bit of back pain. Just ask Atlas, that poor Greek fellow.

Atlas’s punishment, however, became his trademark. He developed into a hero for holding up the heavens, preventing them from falling onto the Earth. It is a thankless task, but someone must do it.

That brings us to today’s Atlases.

Graham Adams: Mihi Forbes and the great Atlas conspiracy

The TV presenter counts on her audience being uncritical and ill-informed.

Last week, Mihingarangi Forbes made an extraordinary claim while interviewing David Seymour on Mata Reports, a taxpayer-funded current affairs programme which, she says, looks at events through an “indigenous lens”.

Chris Trotter: Shrugging-Off The Atlas Network

The Atlas Network has provided the Left with what it most needs – an explanation for its failure.

THE ATLAS NETWORK has been trending lately – in the minds of the New Zealand Left. Devastated by the election result, and further demoralised by recent polling showing the Right increasing its grip on New Zealanders’ political imagination, the Atlas Network has provided the Left with what it most needs – an explanation for its failure.