Defamation

This project was a response to the Lange v Atkinson decision. Mr Lange, a former prime minister of New Zealand, claims damages for defamation from the author of an article published in a monthly magazine with a New Zealand-wide circulation and from the magazine’s publisher. In response to Mr Lange’s claim the defendants pleaded that they were entitled to invoke the defence of qualified privilege.

Defaming Politicians: A Response to Lange v Atkinson (NZLC PP33, 1998)

The Commission's Preliminary Paper, Defaming Politicians: A Response to Lange v Atkinson (NZLC PP33, 1998).

Defaming Politicians: A Response to Lange v Atkinson (NZLC R64, 2000)

The Commission's Report, Defaming Politicians: A Response to Lange v Atkinson (NZLC R64, 2000).

The Court of Appeal held that section 19 of the Defamation Act 1992 adequately balances protection of reputation versus freedom of speech.

The Commission’s procedural recommendations were considered in the Evidence Act 2006.

There was no requirement for the Government to present a formal response to Commission reports before April 2009.

See Official Government response process | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC).