Summarised by Centrist
Veteran broadcaster Peter Williams argues that the Taxpayers’ Union (TPU) is facing an outrageous defamation lawsuit simply for exposing government waste.
At the centre of the controversy is Melanie Mark-Shadbolt, an “environmental sociologist” and director of New Zealand’s Biological Heritage National Science Challenge, which allocated $4 million in taxpayer funding to Te Tira Whakamataki, a company that Mark-Shadbolt herself leads.
Williams calls the project “crackpot theory”, describing how the funds were used for a “science” experiment that played whale music and Māori karakia (prayers) to kauri trees in an attempt to cure them of dieback disease. He slams the entire premise:
“Yes, there are actually adults in this so-called sophisticated and modern nation who believe in that kind of spiritual claptrap.”
While the TPU reported on these facts, Mark-Shadbolt has now taken legal action, seeking over $225,000 in damages and demanding that TPU delete its coverage and ‘purge’ its email database.
Williams finds the claim absurd. “The truth cannot be sued,” he comments.
He argues that Mark-Shadbolt’s role in both funding allocation and receiving the money is undeniable, even if she recused herself from the formal decision.
“There are only two directors of the Biological Heritage National Science Challenge – Melanie Mark-Shadbolt and Daniel Patrick,” he notes, adding that her own organisation, Te Tira Whakamataki, benefited directly from the grant.
Williams questions whether this lawsuit is really about silencing the TPU, rather than addressing defamation:
“The TPU believes this case is really about trying to shut the organisation down financially and force them out of existence.”
