Liz Wilkinson against Radio New Zealand
Case Number: 3918
Council Meeting: 12 October 2026
Decision: No Grounds to Proceed
Publication: Radio NZ
Principle:
Accuracy, Fairness and Balance
Comment and Fact
Discrimination and Diversity
Ruling Categories:
Accuracy
Balance, Lack Of
Discrimination
Radio New Zealand published an article on September 30, 2026, titled 'Relapse is a part of recovery': the round the-clock fight
against meth.
It reported the work of Whakaoranga Whanau Recovery Hub, in Kaikohe, Northland. It described the work the hub and its chief executive were doing to fight the “meth crisis” and help people break their drug habits.
Liz Wilkinson complained the story presented an incomplete and potentially misleading account of methamphetamine addiction and recovery by failing to adequately acknowledge established research concerning the relationship between neurodivergence and substance use. She cited Principle (1) Accuracy, Fairness and Balance, Principle (4) Comment and Fact, and Principle (7) Discrimination and Diversity.
She said the New Zealand Drug Foundation reported that people with ADHD were more likely to have used drugs and are more likely to develop substance-use disorders. Importantly, the Drug Foundation stated that people with ADHD and/or autism might use substances to manage symptoms of their neurodivergence and recommended neurodivergence-informed screening, diagnosis, treatment and psychosocial support.
Ms Wilkinson said she was not arguing that every story about methamphetamine addiction needed every possibly explanation for addiction. “Rather, where a story is presented as an account of addiction, relapse and recovery, I believe there is a responsibility to avoid creating an incomplete impression about why some people develop problematic substance use.”
Ms Wilkinson said she was working on a “neuroaffirming safeguarding project”, which included identifying and correcting medical inaccuracies and omissions in media coverage concerning neurodivergent people.
In response RNZ said they appreciated Ms Wilkinson’s knowledge of the issue, and the Drug Foundation study on neurodiversity, but the story was an account of the Whakaoranga Whanau Recovery Hub and its CEO. The content accurately reflected their work, their clients and the circumstances they are dealing with. It would be inappropriate to introduce other aspects not discussed by the CEO.
The Media Council saw no evidence that the article breached any of the Principles cited in this complaint.
This was no more than a description of the work being done at the recovery hub and the efforts put in by its leader. It did not analyse meth use and its causes. No inaccuracy was shown and no positions were taken in the article that needed to be balanced.
This was a straightforward story about an organisation helping people to break their drug habits. The fact that it did not go wider and deal with the causes of drug addiction provided no basis for complaint that the article breached journalistic ethics on which the Media Council Principles are based.
Decision: No grounds to proceed.
It reported the work of Whakaoranga Whanau Recovery Hub, in Kaikohe, Northland. It described the work the hub and its chief executive were doing to fight the “meth crisis” and help people break their drug habits.
Liz Wilkinson complained the story presented an incomplete and potentially misleading account of methamphetamine addiction and recovery by failing to adequately acknowledge established research concerning the relationship between neurodivergence and substance use. She cited Principle (1) Accuracy, Fairness and Balance, Principle (4) Comment and Fact, and Principle (7) Discrimination and Diversity.
She said the New Zealand Drug Foundation reported that people with ADHD were more likely to have used drugs and are more likely to develop substance-use disorders. Importantly, the Drug Foundation stated that people with ADHD and/or autism might use substances to manage symptoms of their neurodivergence and recommended neurodivergence-informed screening, diagnosis, treatment and psychosocial support.
Ms Wilkinson said she was not arguing that every story about methamphetamine addiction needed every possibly explanation for addiction. “Rather, where a story is presented as an account of addiction, relapse and recovery, I believe there is a responsibility to avoid creating an incomplete impression about why some people develop problematic substance use.”
Ms Wilkinson said she was working on a “neuroaffirming safeguarding project”, which included identifying and correcting medical inaccuracies and omissions in media coverage concerning neurodivergent people.
In response RNZ said they appreciated Ms Wilkinson’s knowledge of the issue, and the Drug Foundation study on neurodiversity, but the story was an account of the Whakaoranga Whanau Recovery Hub and its CEO. The content accurately reflected their work, their clients and the circumstances they are dealing with. It would be inappropriate to introduce other aspects not discussed by the CEO.
The Media Council saw no evidence that the article breached any of the Principles cited in this complaint.
This was no more than a description of the work being done at the recovery hub and the efforts put in by its leader. It did not analyse meth use and its causes. No inaccuracy was shown and no positions were taken in the article that needed to be balanced.
This was a straightforward story about an organisation helping people to break their drug habits. The fact that it did not go wider and deal with the causes of drug addiction provided no basis for complaint that the article breached journalistic ethics on which the Media Council Principles are based.
Decision: No grounds to proceed.