Latest Rulings

1. The Press published an article on April 4, 2026, titled Marketing the elite: Inside the billion-dollar battle for the brightest young minds. Gaelle Ribot complains that the article breaches Principles (2) Privacy, (3) Children and Young People, (4) Comment and Fact, (6) Headlines and Captions, (7) Discrimination and Diversity, (8) Confidentiality, and (9) Subterfuge. The complaint is not upheld on all Principles.

1. John McDonald-Wharry has complained about a Stuff podcast called Quarantine Nation, which was released on 25 February 2026. His complaint focuses on episodes 6, 7, and 8, the final three episodes of the series (adding parts of episode five for his second complaint).

1. The NZ Veterinary Association (NZVA) complained about an article in the Bay of Plenty Times online where the owner of a dog that was euthanised spoke about how it was done against his wishes. The NZVA complains under Principle (1) that the article fails to uphold the standards of fairness, balance, context, and responsible reporting.

1. On May 14, 2026, Radio New Zealand (RNZ) published an article headlined India's negotiators threatened to walk out of trade talks with New Zealand, official reveals. The article reported on the chief trade negotiator's appearance before a parliamentary select committee regarding the New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

1. Mr Chris Rennie and Dr Chris Pook, separately complain about an article headed, Puberty blocker ban: What it could mean for transgender teens and their families in New Zealand, published by the New Zealand Herald on 22 March 2026. These complaints will be considered together as they are similar, both alleging breaches of Principles (1) Accuracy, Fairness and Balance and (4) Comment and Fact. Dr Pook additionally complains about content breaching Principle (6) Headlines and Captions.

1. This complaint concerns an article published in the New Zealand Herald titled “Porirua woman searches for man who allegedly threatened her in road rage incident”. The complaint from the victim of the incident contained a number of assertions that Media Council Principles had been infringed in the course of writing the article and quoting her story. The complaint is not upheld.