Scott Griffith against Stuff

Stuff published an article on June 7, 2026, titled Green Party co-leader apologises for speeding on SH1.

The story was about Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson who confirmed she was called out on social media by another Green MP for speeding 11kph over the 110kph speed limit on the Kapiti Expressway. She apologised for her error.

Scott Griffith complained about the story’s reference to the presence of a median barrier on the section of road where she was speeding.

He said all expressways had median barriers. Mention of it near the bottom of the article was redundant and, in his view, it was a thinly disguised attempt to downplay the seriousness of the matter.

In response Stuff said it did not agree that the reference to the road having a median barrier minimised or excused the speeding offence. It was included as a factual description of the road where the incident occurred and provided relevant context for readers. The article clearly reported that Ms Davidson was travelling above the posted speed limit and included her acknowledgement.

The Media Council did not believe there were grounds for complaint.  The fact there was a median barrier could be considered a relevant point of information. Not all readers would know that all expressways or this section of SH1 had a median barrier.

Some people might consider it a mitigating factor, others would not, but it was a statement of fact that Stuff considered to be worth reporting. The bald fact that she had admittedly exceeded the speed limit was there, unqualified and unadorned, for all to see.  There was nothing to support a complaint it breached Principles (1) Accuracy, Fairness and Balance or (4) Comment and Fact.

Decision:  No grounds to proceed.