DAMON MATHER AGAINST NEWSHUB

Damon Mather complained about a story published on the Newshub website on 19 October 2023 headed Newshub-Reid Research poll reveals if Kiwis want a referendum on the Treaty of Waitangi.

The story reported that 55.8 per cent of those polled wanted a referendum, and 32.2 per cent were against.

Mr Mather said he did not believe the poll, which he suggested was fabricated. He questioned how the results were determined and queried the demographics of those polled. He believed the poll was an attempt to manipulate public opinion.

The Media Council notes that Mr Mather framed his request as an Official Information Act request, but Newshub is not a government agency, therefore the Act does not apply.

Mr Mather has expressed his opinion that the poll was false but provided no information to back up his assertion.

The poll is carried out by Reid Research, an established research company, and the Council can see no evidence for Mr Mather’s suggestion that it is fabricated.

Decision: There were insufficient grounds to proceed.