Reporting by RNZ
19 October 2025, 11:44 PM
The New Zealand Media Council has determined that two complaints against RNZ do not have grounds to proceed to a full hearing.
The first was lodged by a mayoral candidate for the Southland District Council, Wendy Baker, against The Southland Times (Stuff), the Otago Daily Times and RNZ.
The complaint about RNZ was in reference to the headline for the story, which was published on 1 August.
The Media Council said it did not believe Ms Baker has provided evidence to show how the story, the headline or the re-use of her portrait photo breached any of the journalistic Principles cited in her complaint.
Accordingly it ruled there were no grounds to proceed.
The second complaint was lodged by David Maclennan against RNZ and Stuff for articles published on 18 August, reporting an announcement by the Minister for Building and Construction of plans to change building-consent liability.
Mr Maclennan argued that the articles misrepresented the history of liability under New Zealand's weathertightness crisis and failed to represent the majority-affected group: homeowners.
However, the Council said it did not believe a case had been made to show the coverage had been inaccurate, unfair or unbalanced, and there were no grounds to proceed with the complaint.
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