NEW ZEALAND: Dick Hubbard to sue NBR

Auckland mayoral candidate Dick Hubbard is suing New Zealand's National Business Review newspaper for $1.5 million in damages for defamation

Pacific Media Watch
Saturday, September 25, 2004

AUCKLAND (TVNZ Online/Pacific Media Watch): Auckland mayoral candidate Dick Hubbard is suing New Zealand's National Business Review newspaper for $1.5 million in damages for defamation.

Hubbard says the paper printed a "hatchet job" story based on an inaccurate claim that he lied about his company's reports during a Television One interview on Face to Face with Kim Hill.

He says the five-page report contains up to 50 errors.

Hubbard says it was '"disgusting" that the story was printed on the same day as local body election voting papers were sent out.

He says he is not just angry that it could affect his chances at the mayoralty, but also that it brings his business and personal reputation into disrepute.

He is being represented by Grant Illingworth QC.

Hubbard says if he wins the case he will give the proceeds to charity.

The National Business Review is standing by its stories. Investigations editor Jock Anderson says the paper did not defame Hubbard and will rigorously defend the stories.

NBR stands by stories:
http://www.nbr.co.nz/home/column_article.asp?id=10278&cid=8&cname=News

NBR lashes out against Hubbard:
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/news_politics_story_skin/448380%3fformat=html

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Date Posted: 9/25/2004