Cameron Slater slithers into bankruptcy
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- Date published:
7:15 am, February 27th, 2019 - 51 comments
Categories: blogs, internet, law, Media, Politics, Social issues -
Tags: cameron slater, defamation, matthew blomfield, Professor Doug Sellman, whaleoil
Yesterday Cameron Slater announced on Whaleoil that he was filing for bankruptcy to avoid stress and the three ongoing defamation cases against him (and the Whaleoil blog). His stated reason was based on ill-health and medical advice after a stroke last October.
Yeah right. The problem is, ignoring the whining, that there is a bit of credibility gap when it comes to taking anything that Cameron Slater says at face value. The Court of Appeal appears to have been exploring the medical evidence pretty thoroughly (and coming up short of credible evidence) when examining a judgement from the High Court (suppression order lifted). Both are really worth reading if you are into dry clear description of facts.
Admittedly I am a trifle jaundiced about Cameron Slater and his behaviour after having to deal with him and his dickhead mates in the social media sphere and court for the last decade and a bit. He is in my opinion simply an self-entitled arsehole of the first order and not even competent at being an effective one. Personally I’ve had a number of issues with his actions against this site or me. A standout for me was reading a comment of his soon afterwards on Whaleoil bemoaning that I hadn’t actually died after having a heart attack in 2011 rather than very nearly. It does tend to constrain any tendency I have towards pity or mercy on his current medical condition.
But I’m just one person amongst the many where Cameron Slater was involved in dubious ‘campaigns’. Initially this was mainly within the political sphere that our respective sites largely operated in. What was curious in the political sphere from quite early on was the degree of coordinated attacks that he was involved in. But that is part of the nature of politics.
And sadly I wasn’t that interested in the destructive campaigns that were mounted in selections for National party candidates. It was a missed warning sign – and probably did severe damage to the National Party based on the poor quality of those candidates showing up in opposition now.
But gradually many campaigns, outside of the political sphere, simply appeared to be vendettas for commercial gain or for revenge attacks. They popped up in the most curious of places with the attacks on political ‘civilians’ and organisations.
What was interesting to me was the mounting speculation by the recipients of Cameron Slater’s bile about who was involved in feeding the selective information in these disputes. For instance with the contracts for medical laboratory services by the district health boards in Auckland from about 2009-2012 – the subject of some very weird Whaleoil campaigns.
To me, these sorts of deliberate actions was clearly an abuse of the blogging system. They were well beyond the bounds that could be tolerated both legally and on any ethical or moral grounds. As far as I was concerned using the net to make them made it my problem as well as that of those attacked unfairly.
A few years ago in 2012, amongst many other campaigns, I tracked one against an Matthew Blomfield where the ‘evidence’ of purported evil was at best sketchy using information from a misappropriated and probably stolen hard drive. The posts were massively embellished with obvious lying about what was written and imaginative suppositions. It was a classic revenge campaign being fed by someone other than Cameron Slater. What was astonishing was the level of vindictiveness and persistence of the campaign. It was a pretty obvious paid PR hit.
So after Matthew Blomfield launched the first viable defamation case and got to the point where it was about the role of blogs, a number of bloggers on this site did our personal bits to publicize the facts actually in the public court documents over the last 5-6 years. We did our best to make sure that the case added into the debate on the role of blogging and social media in NZ.
Because there was continued blatant spinning on the case from Cameron Slater on Whaleoil despite the orders from the judges, we also provided some space for Matthew Blomfield to counter the accusations on our site.
The rogue role of Whaleoil and Cameron Slater became more public the anonymous (and still wanted by the law) ‘rawshark’ hack on the Whaleoil server after Cameron Slater’s “public elation” about the virtues of a death of a “feral” west coaster. The pile of bullshit and sleazy deals, abusing the process of blogging, for his personal gain in attacking political opponents and others often as part of paid campaigns then became public as part of Nicky Hager’s book “Dirty Politics”.
So as to today’s news. I very doubt that bankruptcy will achieve whatever Cameron Slater would like it to. The David Fisher article on the announcement in the NZ Herald covered most of the relevant aspects. In particular:-
University of Auckland legal expert Dr Bill Hodge said bankruptcy effectively killed defamation actions.
“Lawyers usually say ‘I won’t get paid and you won’t get costs so why go ahead’. They can’t get anything so why carry on.”
The case would remain active against Social Media Consultants Ltd, which is currently entirely owned by Slater’s wife Juana Atkins
Yeah right. Not in all cases – otherwise few defamation cases would make it to trial. What Bill Hodge doesn’t point out is that typically most defamation cases are settled well before trial as each side lays out their case for the other side and confusion and ambiguity are eliminated, while the risk of liability becomes obvious.
In this set of cases I rather suspect that getting money off Cameron Slater isn’t that large a priority. Any more than the money expended on a case was for me when one of Cameron Slater’s idiot mates tried a spectacularly failed private prosecution and subsequent appeals against me.
Court costs and any awards are pretty effective punitive tools to prevent future repeated bad behaviour. It really doesn’t matter that much if they do it by emptying the losing treasury or by simply bankrupting losing individuals or liquidating their companies. In effect it disperses or makes unavailable the assets that allowed the problem in the first place.
As Matthew Blomfield points out…
The legal battle waged between Blomfield and Slater began in the Manukau District Court in 2012 and has since involved dozens of hearings.
Blomfield said he had refused to give up after the impact he and his family suffered as a result of the blog posts.
“He assassinated my character, drove my family into hiding, caused untold financial and emotional damage.”
The High Court’s Justice Paul Davison found Slater’s defence “fell well short” of providing facts which supported the accusations printed.
Early in the legal process, Cameron Slater fronted by lawyer Jordan Williams (now of the so-called ‘Taxpayers Union’) proposed a monetary settlement. Which Blomfield turned down for precisely the reason of the effect on his reputation and family. The money wasn’t the issue – it was Cameron Slater’s practices that were so vile that they needed to be purged from public life. I don’t expect that Matthew Blomfield will think any differently now.
In the defamation case of the medical professionals from Dunedin against Cameron Slater and others, there are bigger reasons at stake than just the money that Dr Bill Hodge thinks so highly of.
In that case they are claiming that a similar series of attack posts with some rather alarming professional character assassination were researched and paid for by the grocery council via a PR firm. I’d don’t expect that they’re that interested in Cameron Slater’s money either. It is their reputation and potentially that of future researchers that they are defending. The idea that a monied interest group can attack people for doing research rather than dealing with the results of the research is reprehensible and something that needs the fact driven public exposure that the court can bring.
As for Colin Craig. Ummm.. who can tell….
To me Cameron Slater’s personal bankruptcy (while leaving the Spanish Bride in control of the Whaleoil blog) just looks like another pretty badly thought through legal maneuver. Just like reading the details of Cameron’s transparent failures to provide the Court of Appeal of proof of his inability to instruct a lawyer was.
“He claimed to have cognitive and language impairment because of his stroke, but the evidence showed he had none.
“He claimed to be too incapacitated to communicate with his lawyers, but he was simultaneously engaging in political discussions in the comments section of the Whale Oil website.”
Blomfield said the Court of Appeal gave Slater until February 22 to provide evidence supporting his claims of ill-health.
“He filed no response at all. Instead, he applied for bankruptcy. He is now saying his proceedings need to be halted for that reason.
“He is doing everything he can to avoid the consequences of his own nefarious actions.”
Blomfield said “this will not work” and a full Court of Appeal hearing next month would rule based on the evidence.
Neither Cameron Slaters ill-health nor his bankruptcy makes any difference to the legal position that either he or the Whaleoil blog are in – which is shit-street as far as I can see.
This is an appeal against a decision already made in the High Court that Cameron Slater hadn’t offered viable defences against the defamation action. He therefore lost the defences he was relying upon. These are delaying actions aren’t going to convince the Court of Appeal to overturn parts of that decision – only facts and clear legal argument could. But it doesn’t look like Cameron Slater is good at either.
And for the Kiwi public that is a very good place for this case to be.
For in the end the Whaleoil blog needs to be put down. Sites that use the types of tactic that caused these defamation cases are an abuse of the legal system, of social processes, of blogging and above all for the networks that I have been involved in since 1979.
I trust that the plaintiffs will continue, and that they will be supported by whoever can help. They will be doing the public a service to deter vile imators. In the meantime Cameron Slater can help with testifying why the social aberration that was his marketing model was able to flourish . In the proper venue – the courts.
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New climate projections from NIWA underscore how urgently climate action is needed. ...11 hours ago - Release: More job losses as Government fails on manufacturing
The Government is failing the manufacturing sector with no plan for its future. ...12 hours ago - Tāmaki-Makaurau MP Urges Immediate Support for Families Impacted by Mill Closure
Te Pāti Māori Member of Parliament for Tāmaki Makaurau is urging a full wraparound of services to intervene quickly with families affected by today's announced closure of the Penrose Mill. Seventy-five people are set to lose their jobs right on the eve of Christmas. "I want to extend my thoughts ...13 hours ago
- Release: Sentencing package misses the mark by a mile
Sentencing policy announced by Minister Paul Goldsmith today is anything but new, merely window dressing to make up for backwards violent crime statistics under the National Government. ...2 days ago
- Release: Seymour’s Ministry of Double Standards
David Seymour doesn’t stick to his own standards of good regulation despite having a multimillion-dollar vanity ministry set up to do so. ...2 days ago
- Release: Labour Leader to travel to UK
Labour Leader Chris Hipkins will travel to the United Kingdom this week to attend the annual UK Labour Party conference in Liverpool and meet with members of the new Labour Government. ...2 days ago
- Govt Warned – Increasing Snapper Quota Breaches Fisheries Settlement
An imminent decision to increase the total allowable commercial catch (TACC) for snapper would be a direct violation of the first-ever Treaty Settlement and inevitably breach Te Tiriti o Waitangi, says Te Pāti Māori. Te Ohu Kaimoana has sought a High Court declaration to prevent the Minister of Oceans and ...2 days ago
- Govt attacks workers’ rights once again
Today’s announcement from the Minister of Workplace Relations emphasises how deep in the pocket of big business this Government really is. ...3 days ago
- Release: Māori business not a priority for this Govt
Scrapping the Progressive Procurement programme designed to support and grow Māori businesses is a missed opportunity. ...3 days ago
- Release: March 15 inquiry grants cut by Government
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has cut grants helping overseas family of victims to attend the next phase of the Coronial Inquiry into the 15 March 2019 Christchurch Masjidain Attack. ...3 days ago
- Minister of Injustice seeks to Entrench largest land confiscation in History
The Waitangi Tribunal has released an Urgent Report on the Government’s proposed amendments to the Takutai Moana Act 2011. The report calls out Paul Goldsmith’s proposal for what it is: a “gross breach of the Treaty” and an “illegitimate exercise of kāwanatanga”. The Tribunal is recommending the Crown step down ...5 days ago
- Takutai Moana changes another assault on Te Tiriti
The Government must abandon its Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act interventions after the Waitangi Tribunal found it was committing gross breaches of the Treaty. ...5 days ago
- Greens call on Govt to leave Te Reo in schools alone
As Te Wiki o te Reo Māori approaches, the Government is considering deprioritising teaching Te Reo Māori in our schools. ...6 days ago
- Govt cannot ignore racism
The Government’s directive to the public service to ignore race is nothing more than a dog whistle and distraction from the structural racism we need to address. ...6 days ago
- Release: Lemauga Lydia Sosene to take medical leave
Labour’s Mangere MP Lemauga Lydia Sosene has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will shortly take medical leave. ...6 days ago
- Potential intelligence sharing with Israel must be investigated
Concerns have been raised that our spy arrangements may mean that intelligence is being shared between Aotearoa and Israel. An urgent inquiry must be launched in response to this. ...6 days ago
- Release: Charter schools undermine our education system
The Government is taking a wrecking ball to our public education system by reinstating charter schools. ...6 days ago
- Youngest MP to travel to Canada to accept Politician of the Year Award
Aotearoa’s Youngest Member of Parliament, and Te Pāti Māori MP, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, will travel to Montreal to accept the One Young World Politician of the Year Award next week. The One Young World Politician of the Year Award was created in 2018 to recognise the most promising young politicians between ...7 days ago
- Greens celebrate huge step forward for ADHD community
The Greens welcome today’s long-coming announcement by Pharmac of consultation to remove the special authority renewal criteria for methylphenidate, dexamfetamine and modafinil and to fund lisdexamfetamine. ...7 days ago
- Release: Millions to be spent dividing NZ for no reason
The National Party is wasting millions of dollars allowing David Seymour’s Treaty Principals Bill to be drafted and go to Select Committee. ...7 days ago
- Release: New Zealanders departing our shores at a record rate
The Migration figures released by Stats NZ today show National is continuing to drive Kiwis away from New Zealand in record numbers. ...7 days ago
- Te Tai Tokerau MP Slams Govt Overreach in Scrapping Māori Wards
Mema Paremata for Te Tai Tokerau, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, has reflected on the decisions made by the councils of the North amidst the government’s push to remove Māori Wards and weaken mana whenua representation. “Actions taken by the Kaipara District Council to remove Māori Wards are the embodiment of the eradication ...1 week ago
- Govt already seeking advice on Treaty referendum
On one hand, the Prime Minister has assured Aotearoa that his party will not support the Treaty Principles Bill beyond first reading, but on the other, his Government has already sought advice on holding a referendum on our founding document. ...1 week ago
- Release: Aged care will be worse off if redesign rushed
New Zealanders needing aged care support and the people who care for them will be worse off if the Government pushes through a flawed and rushed redesign of dementia and aged care. ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt fails hundreds of workers as mills close
Labour is devastated at news hundreds of workers are set to lose their jobs following the closure of Winstone Pulp mills. ...1 week ago
- Job losses from mill closures consequence of Govt inaction
Hundreds of jobs lost as a result of pulp mill closures in the Ruapehu District are a consequence of government inaction in addressing the shortfalls of our electricity network. ...1 week ago
- Ngarewa-Packer devastated for Ruapehu following WPI closure
Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader and MP for Te Tai Hauāuru is devastated for the Ruapehu community following today’s decision to close two Winstone Pulp mills. “My heart goes out to all the workers, their whānau, and the wider Ruapehu community affected by the closure of Winstone Pulp International,” said Ngarewa-Packer. ...1 week ago
- Release: Cabinet should stop the Treaty Principles Bill
National Party Ministers have a majority in Cabinet and can stop David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill, which even the Prime Minister has described as “divisive and unhelpful.” ...1 week ago
- Release: Staff gagged to keep fast track list secret
The National Government is so determined to hide the list of potential projects that will avoid environmental scrutiny it has gagged Ministry for the Environment staff from talking about it. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour challenges Te Whatu Ora gag orders
Labour has complained to the Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission about the high number of non-disclosure agreements that have effectively gagged staff at Te Whatu Ora Health NZ from talking about anything relating to their work. ...1 week ago
- Greens call on Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned after letter from Christian leaders
The Green Party is once again urging the Prime Minister to abandon the Treaty Principles Bill as a letter from more than 400 Christian leaders calls for the proposed legislation to be dropped. ...1 week ago
- Sign the petition: Keep military-style firearms off our streets
Help us tell the Government that reintroducing military-style firearms should not be up for debate. ...2 weeks ago
- Vast majority of councils support Māori wards
Councils across the country have now decided where they stand regarding Māori wards, with a resounding majority in favour of keeping them in what is a significant setback for the Government. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Government on the wrong side of Māori wards
The National-led government has been given a clear message from the local government sector, as almost all councils reject the Government’s bid to treat Māori wards different to other wards. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki
The Labour Party congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki on being crowned as the eighth Te Ariki Nui – head of Te Kiingitanga. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party welcomes new Maaori Kuiini
The Green Party welcomes the coronation of the new Maaori Kuiini, Te Arikinui Nga Wai Hono i te Po, today in Turangawaewae. ...2 weeks ago
- ECE teachers deserve better than this Government
The Green Party is unsurprised but disappointed by today’s announcement from the Government that will see our Early Childhood Centre teachers undermined and pay parity pushed further out of reach. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent intervention needed on supermarkets
The Green Party is calling on the Government to intervene in the supermarket duopoly dominating our supply of groceries following today’s report from the Commerce Commission. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Rainbow youth neglected in mental health funding
Labour backs the call from The Rainbow Support Collective members for mental health funding specifically earmarked for grassroots and peer led community organisations to be set up in a way that they are able to access. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Transport in NZ has to be more than just roads
As expected, the National Land Transport Programme lacks ambition for our cities and our country’s rail network and puts the majority of investment into roads. ...2 weeks ago
- Foreign Minister to travel to New York, French Polynesia
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is travelling to New York next week to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, followed by a visit to French Polynesia. “In the context of the myriad regional and global crises, our engagements in New York will demonstrate New Zealand’s strong support for ...10 hours ago - Thanking social workers on their national day
“Today, on Aotearoa New Zealand Social Workers’ Day, I would like to recognise the tremendous effort social workers make not just today, but every day,” Children’s Minister and Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour says. “I thank all those working on the front line for ...13 hours ago
- Minister of State for Trade heads to Laos for ASEAN meetings
Minister of State for Trade Nicola Grigg will travel to Laos this week to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers’ Meetings in Vientiane. “The Government is committed to strengthening our relationship with ASEAN,” Ms Grigg says. “With next year marking 50 years since New Zealand became ...13 hours ago
- Members appointed to retail crime MAG
The Government has appointed four members to the Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “I am delighted to appoint Michael Hill’s national retail manager Michael Bell to the group, as well as Waikato community advocate and business ...15 hours ago
- Speech to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation AGM and Conference 2024
It’s my pleasure to be here to join the opening of the NZNO AGM and Conference for 2024. First, I’d like to thank NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku, NZNO President, Anne Daniels, and Chief Execuitve Paul Gaulter for inviting me to speak today. Thank you also to all the NZNO members ...16 hours ago
- Improvements for New Zealand authors
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says changes to the Public Lending Right [PLR] scheme will help benefit both the National Library and authors who have books available in New Zealand libraries. “I am amending the regulations so that eligible authors will no longer have to reapply every year ...1 day ago
- Minister commends Police for gang operation
Police Minister Mark Mitchell congratulates Police for the outstanding result of their most recent operation, targeting the Comancheros. “That Police have been able to round up the majority of the Comancheros leadership, and many of their patched members and prospects, shows not only the capability of Police, but also shows ...2 days ago
- New appointments to the EPA board
Environment Minister Penny Simmonds has announced a major refresh of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) board with four new appointments and one reappointment. The new board members are Barry O’Neil, Jennifer Scoular, Alison Stewart and Nancy Tuaine, who have been appointed for a three-year term ending in August 2027. “I would ...2 days ago
- Enabling rural recovery works in Hawke’s Bay
Cabinet has approved an Order in Council to enable severe weather recovery works to continue in the Hawke’s Bay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell say. “Cyclone Gabrielle and the other severe weather events in early 2023 caused significant loss and damage to ...2 days ago
- FamilyBoost childcare payment registrations open
From today, low-to-middle-income families with young children can register for the new FamilyBoost payment, to help them meet early childhood education (ECE) costs. The scheme was introduced as part of the Government’s tax relief plan to help Kiwis who are doing it tough. “FamilyBoost is one of the ways we ...2 days ago
- Prioritising victims with tougher sentences
The Government has today agreed to introduce sentencing reforms to Parliament this week that will ensure criminals face real consequences for crime and victims are prioritised, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. "In recent years, there has been a concerning trend where the courts have imposed fewer and shorter prison sentences ...2 days ago
- Targets data confirms rise in violent crime
The first quarterly report on progress against the nine public service targets show promising results in some areas and the scale of the challenge in others, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “Our Government reinstated targets to focus our public sector on driving better results for New Zealanders in health, education, ...2 days ago
- Asia Foundation Board appointments announced
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the appointments of Hone McGregor, Professor David Capie, and John Boswell to the Board of the Asia New Zealand Foundation. Bede Corry, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has also been appointed as an ex-officio member. The new trustees join Dame Fran Wilde (Chair), ...3 days ago
- Endeavour Fund projects for economic growth
New Zealand’s largest contestable science fund is investing in 72 new projects to address challenges, develop new technology and support communities, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. “This Endeavour Fund round being funded is focused on economic growth and commercial outputs,” Ms Collins says. “It involves funding of more ...3 days ago
- Social Services Providers Whakamanawa National Conference 16 September 2024
Thank you for the introduction and the invitation to speak to you here today. I am honoured to be here in my capacity as Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, and Minister for Children. Thank you for creating a space where we can all listen and learn, ...3 days ago
- Parihaka infrastructure upgrades funded
The Government will provide a $5.8 million grant to improve water infrastructure at Parihaka in Taranaki, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say. “This grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will have a multitude of benefits for this hugely significant cultural site, including keeping local ...3 days ago
- Serious assaults down 22% in Auckland CBD
Cross-government action to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in Auckland is getting traction, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Our central cities should be great places to live and work, but in recent years they have become hot spots for crime and anti-social behaviour. In Auckland, businesses and residents suffered as ...3 days ago
- Increased certainty for contractors coming
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says upcoming changes to the Employment Relations Act will provide greater certainty for contractors and businesses. “These changes to legislation are necessary to ensure businesses and workers have more clarity from the start of their contracting arrangement. It is an ACT-National coalition ...3 days ago
- Draft critical minerals list released for consultation
A draft list of minerals deemed essential to New Zealand’s economy and strengthening its mineral resilience has been released for consultation, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The draft Critical Minerals List identifies 35 minerals essential to economic functions, are in demand internationally, and face high risk of supply disruption domestically ...3 days ago
- Government eliminates $190 million in trade barriers to boost the economy
The Government has successfully removed trade barriers affecting nearly $190 million worth of exports to help grow the economy, Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay today announced. “In the past year, we have resolved 14 Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs), returning significant value to kiwi exporters. These efforts directly boost our ...4 days ago
- Reo Māori the ‘beating heart’ of Aotearoa New Zealand
From private business to the Paris Olympics, reo Māori is growing with the success of New Zealanders, says Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka. “I’m joining New Zealanders across the country in celebrating this year’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week, which has a big range ...5 days ago
- Need and value at forefront of public service delivery
New Cabinet policy directives will ensure public agencies prioritise public services on the basis of need and award Government contracts on the basis of public value, Minister for the Public Service Nicola Willis says. “Cabinet Office has today issued a circular to central government organisations setting out the Government’s expectations ...6 days ago
- Minister to attend Police Ministers Council Meeting
Police Minister Mark Mitchell will join with Australian Police Ministers and Commissioners at the Police Ministers Council meeting (PMC) today in Melbourne. “The council is an opportunity to come together to discuss a range of issues, gain valuable insights on areas of common interest, and different approaches towards law enforcement ...6 days ago
- New Bill to crack down on youth vaping
The coalition Government has introduced legislation to tackle youth vaping, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) is aimed at preventing youth vaping. “While vaping has contributed to a significant fall in our smoking rates, the rise in youth vaping ...6 days ago
- Interest in agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review welcomed
Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard have welcomed interest in the agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review. The review by the Ministry for Regulation is looking at how to speed up the process to get farmers and growers access to the safe, ...6 days ago
- Bill to allow online charity lotteries passes first reading
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government is moving at pace to ensure lotteries for charitable purposes are allowed to operate online permanently. Charities fundraising online, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and local hospices will continue to do ...6 days ago
- Tax exempt threshold changes to benefit startups
Technology companies are among the startups which will benefit from increases to current thresholds of exempt employee share schemes, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Revenue Minister Simon Watts say. Tax exempt thresholds for the schemes are increasing as part of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency ...6 days ago
- Getting the healthcare you need, when you need it
The path to faster cancer treatment, an increase in immunisation rates, shorter stays in emergency departments and quick assessment and treatments when you are sick has been laid out today. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has revealed details of how the ambitious health targets the Government has set will be ...7 days ago
- Targeted supports to accelerate reading
The coalition Government is delivering targeted and structured literacy supports to accelerate learning for struggling readers. From Term 1 2025, $33 million of funding for Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Support will be reprioritised to interventions which align with structured approaches to teaching. “Structured literacy will change the way children ...7 days ago
- Survivors invited to Abuse in Care national apology
With two months until the national apology to survivors of abuse in care, expressions of interest have opened for survivors wanting to attend. “The Prime Minister will deliver a national apology on Tuesday 12 November in Parliament. It will be a very significant day for survivors, their families, whānau and ...7 days ago
- Rangatahi inspire at Ngā Manu Kōrero final
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini kē - My success is not mine alone but is the from the strength of the many. Aotearoa New Zealand’s top young speakers are an inspiration for all New Zealanders to learn more about the depth and beauty conveyed ...7 days ago
- Driving structured literacy in schools
The coalition Government is driving confidence in reading and writing in the first years of schooling. “From the first time children step into the classroom, we’re equipping them and teachers with the tools they need to be brilliant in literacy. “From 1 October, schools and kura with Years 0-3 will receive ...1 week ago
- Labour’s misleading information is disappointing
Labour’s misinformation about firearms law is dangerous and disappointing, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “Labour and Ginny Andersen have repeatedly said over the past few days that the previous Labour Government completely banned semi-automatic firearms in 2019 and that the Coalition Government is planning to ‘reintroduce’ them. ...1 week ago
- Govt takes action on mpox response, widens access to vaccine
The Government is taking immediate action on a number of steps around New Zealand’s response to mpox, including improving access to vaccine availability so people who need it can do so more easily, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. “Mpox is obviously a ...1 week ago
- Next steps agreed for Treaty Principles Bill
Associate Justice Minister David Seymour says Cabinet has agreed to the next steps for the Treaty Principles Bill. “The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for Parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the Treaty, including establishing that every person is equal before the law,” says Mr Seymour. “Parliament ...1 week ago
- Government unlocking potential of AI
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced a programme to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) uptake among New Zealand businesses. “The AI Activator will unlock the potential of AI for New Zealand businesses through a range of support, including access to AI research experts, technical assistance, AI tools and resources, ...1 week ago
- Government releases Wairoa flood review findings
The independent rapid review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has been released, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. “We welcome the review’s findings and recommendations to strengthen Wairoa's resilience against future events,” Ms ...1 week ago
- Promoting faster payment times for government
The Government is sending a clear message to central government agencies that they must prioritise paying invoices in a timely manner, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly says. Data released today promotes transparency by publishing the payment times of each central government agency. This data will be published quarterly ...1 week ago
- Acknowledgement to Kīngi Tuheitia speech
E te māngai o te Whare Pāremata, kua riro māku te whakaputa i te waka ki waho moana. E te Pirimia tēnā koe.Mr Speaker, it is my privilege to take this adjournment kōrero forward. Prime Minister – thank you for your leadership. Taupiri te maunga Waikato te awa Te Wherowhero ...1 week ago
- Interim fix to GST adjustment rules to support businesses
Inland Revenue can begin processing GST returns for businesses affected by a historic legislative drafting error, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “Inland Revenue has become aware of a legislative drafting error in the GST adjustment rules after changes were made in 2023 which were meant to simplify the process. This ...1 week ago
- West Papuan fighters who kidnapped Kiwi pilot propose terms of release
RNZ Pacific Pro-independence fighters in the Indonesian-ruled West Papua region have proposed the terms of release for the New Zealand pilot taken hostage almost 18 months ago. The armed faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) kidnapped Phillip Merhtens, a 38-year-old pilot working for the Indonesian internal feeder ...3 hours ago - Budget 2024: Light at the end of the tunnel
The House - The government's maiden Budget is finally reaching the end of its long approval process, and it's going to be just in time. ...5 hours ago - How do ecosystems collapse? Our study shows evolution plays a role – and can delay a disaster
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Blake, PhD Student, Monash University Piyaset/Shutterstock Dying coral reefs, rainforests transforming into savannas, grasslands turning into deserts – these are ecosystem “tipping points”, boundary lines we’re desperate not to cross. In dynamic systems filled with life, these critical thresholds ...5 hours ago
- Celebrity Treasure Island power rankings: Cully goes to Hollywood
Alex Casey ranks week two of Celebrity Treasure Island NZ. This week on Celebrity Treasure Island was all about craving. Old drama school friends craving a hug and a cry in a caravan, broadcasters craving more than one seventh of a cream donut, former deputy prime ministers and drag queens ...6 hours ago - Surrogacy Commodifies Women, Says Women’s Rights Party
While commercial surrogacy is technically illegal in New Zealand, the involvement of fertility services in surrogacy through assisted reproductive technology is a commercial activity paid for by intending parents, with potential harm for birth ...8 hours ago - Politics with Michelle Grattan: Adam Bandt on why the Greens are playing hardball on housing
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The government has found many of its key measures stuck in a legislative quagmire, with both Greens and Coalition playing hardball with Labor’s plans. This week the government’s housing legislation has stalled in the ...8 hours ago
- Digital health research can be positive for Indigenous people. But our study found it needs to follo...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Goodman, Postdoctoral Fellow in Indigenous Health, CSIRO Digital technologies are transforming health care for all Australians, and this includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Electronic health interventions (eHealth) can involve features such as telehealth, instant messaging and mobile apps that ...8 hours ago
- What’s the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath? Less than you might think
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bruce Watt, Associate Professor in Psychology, Bond University Benoit Daoust/Shutterstock Articles about badly behaved people and how to spot them are common. You don’t have to Google or scroll too much to find headlines such as 7 signs your boss is ...8 hours ago
- Australia desperately needs a strong federal environmental protection agency. Our chances aren’t l...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justine Bell-James, Associate Professor in Environment and Property Law, TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland Enrico Della Pietra/Shutterstock When Labor came to power federally after almost a decade in opposition, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek pledged to turn around ...8 hours ago
- The Productivity Commission wants all Australian kids to get 3 days a week of childcare – but it w...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Melissa Tham, Research fellow at the Mitchell Institute, Victoria University The federal government has released a highly anticipated report into Australia’s childcare system. The report, by the Productivity Commission, says addressing affordability should be a priority. It recommends fully subsidised childcare for ...8 hours ago
- New teen accounts on Instagram are a welcome step, but real ‘peace of mind’ requires more
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tama Leaver, Professor of Internet Studies, Curtin University As Australia and other countries debate the merits of banning kids under 14 from social media, Meta has announced a significant “reimagining” of teenagers’ experience of Instagram. These new “Teen Accounts” will be set ...8 hours ago
- Ministers defend level of scrutiny on gang patch ban changes
Two ministers have argued politicians' scrutiny - by Cabinet and Parliament - is enough, and the Attorney-General says it wasn't necessary to examine the changes. ...9 hours ago
- Will the exploding pager attack be the spark that ignites an Israel-Hezbollah war?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University The alleged Israeli attack on members of Hezbollah via their pagers is another ominous development propelling the Middle East towards a full-scale regional war. It leaves Hezbollah with ...9 hours ago
- Productivity Commission charts the costly path to universal early childhood education
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Big increases in government spending on child care have been recommended by the Productivity Commission, that would see families earning up to A$80,000 fully subsidised under the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). This would cover ...9 hours ago
- Gareth Evans condemns Labor timidity, tells leadership to ‘recover mojo’
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A former senior member of the Hawke and Keating governments, Gareth Evans, has accused the Albanese government of political timidity, condemning its instinct to “move into cautious, defensive, wedge-avoiding mode”. In a speech on ...9 hours ago
- Flying to a footy final? Watch your wallet. Here’s why airfares soar
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Doug Drury, Professor/Head of Aviation, CQUniversity Australia ymgerman/Shutterstock Planning a flight to an AFL final is like trying to decide when and how to hop on an amusement park ride that hasn’t stopped. You don’t know where you need to ...10 hours ago
- Runt is a gentle, beautifully shot, and warmly humorous small town Australian story
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John McAloon, Senior Lecturer, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney Court McAllister/STUDIOCANAL When young Annie Shearer (Lilly LaTorre) meets a stray dog named Runt (Squid) the two become inseparable. They live in the dry Western Australian town of ...10 hours ago
- Gone By Lunchtime: David Seymour and the zombie utopia
The treaty principles bill is dominating 2024 political headlines. Is it really all about 2026? Church leaders oppose it. Christopher Luxon is increasingly exasperated by getting asked about it. And David Seymour has reworded a critical part of it. Is the Act leader on the back foot over a ...11 hours ago
- Why the case for higher speed limits is fatally flawed
Analysis - Proponents argue even marginal time savings for some drivers justify the changes, Timothy Welch writes, but at what cost? ...11 hours ago
- The harder I work, the luckier I get? What coaches, athletes and fans need to understand about luck ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Rynne, Associate Professor, Sports Coaching; Affiliate, UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, The University of Queensland In the world of elite sport, where everything is planned down to the last minute detail, surprisingly few are prepared to acknowledge the inherent role ...12 hours ago
- The changes to author payment scheme the Public Lending Right, explained
It just got easier for authors to get paid for the use of their books by libraries. But is it enough? What is the Public Lending Right scheme and why am I hearing about it now? The Public Lending Right scheme (PLR) is an annual payment to New Zealand authors ...12 hours ago
- AUKUS in talks with Canada, Japan, NZ, say leaders
The leaders said that new partners could contribute to the so-called AUKUS "Pillar Two", which does not involve nuclear submarines. ...12 hours ago
- ‘I am a proud reader of some objectively terrible books’: Time Out’s Abby Irwin-Jones
Welcome to The Spinoff Bookseller Confessional, in which we get to know Aotearoa’s booksellers. This week: Abby Irwin-Jones, book buyer at Time Out in Mt Eden, Auckland. Weirdest question you’ve ever been asked on the shop floor I had a very well-dressed, charismatic young man come in right before closing ...13 hours ago
- Funding cuts could see ‘significant change’ for Whakaata Māori
Its chief executive says the organisation is looking "at everything possible" to achieve cost savings and ensure the next 20 years for Whakaata Māori. ...13 hours ago
- Nurses tell health minister targets not possible without more funding
In response Shane Reti said they had more funding than ever, and now needed "bold new thinking". ...13 hours ago
- Doctors confront minister on hiring freeze that ‘should not be happening’
Psychiatrists who heard Matt Doocey's comments shook their heads in apparent disbelief and started murmuring. ...13 hours ago
- ‘Cocktail of issues’ at Te Whatu Ora / Health NZ says Commissioner
Its "precarious" financial position isn't the most pressing, Lester Levy says. ...13 hours ago
- The government is looking to combat disinformation – but what about truth in political advertising...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yee-Fui Ng, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Monash University The federal government has just introduced a new bill that seeks to combat disinformation and misinformation on the internet. This is a laudable measure in the context of a rise of dangerous ...14 hours ago
- Why is the internet overflowing with rubbish ads – and what can we do about it?
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No surprises here as Slater has a plan obviously to evade paying for his changes against him, as ‘slimy slater’ will ‘slither’away again to israel; – when the scene gets to ‘ hot ‘as he did last time in 2014 remember?
Geez, CLEANGREEN ,… why did you have to post that ?
Three slimebags in a row sleazing their way across our newsmedia.
Hear no evil, See no evil , and Do no evil.
The three stooges.
Just when I was starting to enjoy life without scumbags like Whalebloat, FK Jonkey , and the Dipton Dipper , – here you go shoving it all back in front of us again. It brings the odious scum and the equally as odious lies they told all back in inglorious technicolor. Literally. One of the worst era’s of scandals, lies and corruption in NZ’s political history.
Bugger. I was having a nice day until , – like a first timer at the Colosseum , – I was tempted to peek to see what was going on and was then instantly revolted.
Thanks a heap , CLEANGREEN….
Sheesh.
Thanks for the kind thoughts Wild Katipo.
I Love you too.
No sorry – your’e right. I shouldn’t have post the pic,
But we do know that ‘to be forewarned is to be forearmed.’ according to the free dictionary.
https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/forewarned+is+forearmed
“forewarned is forearmed”
One can be appropriately prepared if one knows something in advance. Hey, just so you know, the boss is in a really foul mood today. Forewarned is forearmed, right?
So as to slippery Cameron Slater;
We don’t want that creep ever as our boss.
Posted in Open Mike but relevant here.
More claims of incapacitating health and victimhood from vexatious litigants on Whale Oil again yesterday, which not only misrepresents reality. And they think the media publicity was somehow a good thing.
Nige (blog manager): Just goes to show the influence this site has eh.
But Whale Oil is not telling it’s readers about the truth of three defamation cases that Cameron Slater is involved in. As a result there are comments like:
The courts have different views.
More on facts of the cases that have dragged Slater down: What Whale Oil isn’t telling their readers
I do like your post. Especially the quotations and very specific costs from the court that show where the legals delays have been coming from.
I was thinking about writing a similar one. In the end I had to drop that part through a lack of time.
Instead I concentrated on why the courts were the proper avenue for dealing with the type of vile crap that has been the Whaleoil stock in trade.
But really, it is pretty simple to understand. I think that fools like ‘Nige’ need to understand that
Thanks Pete George for this. Seems the WO “family” or “staff” are trying to continue the tradition of this fallen master. We will see.
“Karma will get them in the end”.
Seems to me some form of this is exactly what Cameron is experiencing now. What you put out will come back to you. So if he is experiencing ill health (as it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s just another “tactic”) it is because he wished that on so many others.
as slater has spent years thumbing his nose at various different court orders, I doubt he will get much sympathy from any judge. the police also havent any time for him. all we can hope is that he drags williams back into the slime with him as he re-enters his natural habitat.
I believe Slater has been court ordered to produce medical records, and he has yet to do so. Is that correct?
And will the court allow bankruptcy on medical ground with out medical proof?
Re image of snake – it is a shame animals are so often used to personify human shortcomings.
I’d like to see images of animals used for news stories, chocolate boxes etc all charged a small royalty which can go towards saving them. For example, look at how often Australian companies use Koalas to sell products while the koala is rapidly going extinct.
I think it was a reference to the expression ‘snake in the grass’ esoteric but I have some sympathy with you.
Yours is an excellent and interesting idea, esoteric pineapples. I wonder though, if you think the same courtesy should be shown to plants 🙂
Among all the commentary on this event, there is little information on blogs or in the MSM on how the bankruptcy will effect the Whaleoil blog and its subscribers,
My understanding is that if someone becomes bankrupt then the official assignee takes over all of their affairs. The idea is to ascertain what revenue is available for the creditors.
One assumes the blog is a business, with revenue from subscription and advertising, and it also has some connection with the Whaleoil Meat Company.
So will this “business” be henceforth run by an Administrator appointed by the Official Assignee, and/ or will it be closed down as a loss making enterprise & therefore of no value to creditors?
If it is deemed of value, could it be sold off?
Would guess Slater’s legal team will have done what they could to minimise the effects of his bankruptcy on the blog, but IIRC, the OA can look at what happened in the recent past and reverse any actions taken to hide assets away.
People who have subscriptions to the blog, or are considering renewing them need answers to these questions. Same goes for meat purchasers.
I’d put that in the ‘who gives a fuck’ pile.
So why did you reply?
I ‘don’t give a fuck’ but I am interested – there is a difference.
Cos I wanted to. If you care about his subscribers good for you.
No I don’t ‘care about his subscribers’ at all – but I am interested in what the the legal and financial ramifications will be for both Slater and family, his backers, the WO website and its subscribers etc. Again, a big difference.
As far as the WO website is concerned I fully agree with lprent that:
Good for you again. Still not sure why you bothered making your comment to me in the first place tbh
One thing NZ can thank Slater for – he exposed the true character of right wing political thinking and intent here. – WOBF !
Good questions, RB.
This is outside my area of expertise, but my understanding is as per yours – that the Official Assignee takes over/examines the bankrupt’s financial affairs. I suspect that a lot of people would love to see what opening the WO books reveals!
The first link in lprent’s post under the phrase “and coming up short of credible evidence” is to David Fisher’s article in the Herald which includes the following:
”… The case would remain active against Social Media Consultants Ltd, which is currently entirely owned by Slater’s wife Juana Atkins.
The ownership of Social Media Consultants Ltd has changed on a number of occasions in recent years. At the time the defamatory posts were published, it was listed on the Companies Office as owned by a mentor of Slater’s, millionaire and Seventh Day Adventist church leader Paul Honnor.
Ownership changed with Slater becoming the only shareholder by 2013. In 2015, the majority of shares were transferred to Atkins.
Then, in early February this year, the remainder of Slater’s shares were transferred to Atkins. This happened just weeks after Slater was registered as the contact person for Social Media Consultants Ltd when it bought, on finance, a late model four-wheel-drive.
Insolvency specialist Damien Grant said the Official Assignee, which oversees personal insolvency, would check to ensure a fair price was received for any assets – such as shares – which were transferred before bankruptcy.
He said a bankrupt was not allowed to be a company director or be involved in the management of a company without the permission of the Official Assignee. They were also barred from travelling abroad without permission, and could be obliged to surrender income if they were judged to earn too much.
Grant said bankruptcy often arrived as a relief for those forced into insolvency.
“Most of the people I have spoken to who have gone through bankruptcy don’t find the experience that difficult – mainly because they were living crap lives leading up to it.”
Slater did not respond to a request for comment. On the Whale Oil blog post about his bankruptcy, it stated: “Cam will not be available for media comment and nor will his family.”
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12207479
This doesn’t really cover the situation re donations to WO itself or the Whale Meat Company.
The website for the latter gives no information re the company itself as to whether it is a limited company, who owns it, directors etc
https://whalemeat.co.nz/
However, a quick search of the Companies Register reveals that just a few days ago on 25 Feb 2019, the company was registered as Whale Meat Company Limited
Company Number 7292558
NZBN: 9429047295483
Incorporation Date: 25 Feb 2019
Company Status: Registered
Entity type: NZ Limited Company
Constitution filed: No
AR filing month: August
Ultimate holding company No
Company addresses: Registered Office
HOWARD TAYLOR – ACCOUNTANT, Apartment 1503 The Metropolis Apartments, 1 Courthouse Lane, Auckland Central, Auckland, 1010 , New Zealand
Address for service
HOWARD TAYLOR – ACCOUNTANT, Apartment 1503 The Metropolis Apartments, 1 Courthouse Lane, Auckland Central, Auckland, 1010 , New Zealand
Directors Showing 1 of 1 directors
Howard Karl TAYLOR
Apartment 1503 The Metropolis Apartments, 1 Courthouse Lane, Auckland Central, Auckland, 1010 , New Zealand
Additional Information
Industry Classification: M696210
Business management service nec
https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/7292558
For the heck of it, I also searched for Social Media Consultants Ltd and this is the latest information on that company which confirms Juana Atkins as the only director and has the same business addresses etc as the details for the Whale Meat Company Ltd above:
[Note – the following was last updated on 22 Feb 2019]
Company number: 2303831
NZBN: 9429032012989
Incorporation Date: 19 Aug 2009
Company Status: Registered
Entity type: NZ Limited Company
Constitution filed: No
AR filing month: June , last filed on 06 Jun 2018
Ultimate holding company No
Company addresses:
Registered Office
Howard K TAYLOR – ACCOUNTANT, Apartment 1503 The Metropolis Apartments, 1 Courthouse Lane, Auckland Central, Auckland, 1010 , New Zealand
Address for service
Howard K TAYLOR – ACCOUNTANT, Apartment 1503 The Metropolis Apartments, 1 Courthouse Lane, Auckland Central, Auckland, 1010 , New Zealand
Directors Showing 1 of 1 directors
Juana Mary ATKINS
Company record link:http://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/co/2303831
https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/2303831
Note – There are personal addresses, emails and mobile numbers which I have left out.
Thanks for the response Veutoviper.
I’m guessing people would need to be wary about sending any money in the direction of the blog or the meat company until there is some kind of public declaration as to what will happen to these entities under the bankruptcy.
Definitely unless they want to see their money disappear into a big black hole. From what I have read on the few occasions I have gone to WO, they seem to have quite a few [select your own word] who donate automatically monthly or so …
Just did a flying visit and see they are still pushing people to subscribe and also to buy the meat with prize draws etc.
In connection with the above, Howard Karl Taylor is a bit of an interesting accountant.
First up in a Google search, a PDF of a decision in March 2006 by the Disciplinary Tribunal of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of NZ whereby a certain member pleaded guilty of misconduct in a professional capacity, conduct unbecoming an accountant and breaching the Institute’s Rules and Code of Ethics.
,
https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/-/media/11d09e56c93d49a19177d8ab1662a885.ashx
A long time ago but I am not sure I would pick him for myself, but each to their own.
The blog owning company currently has sole shareholder of Slaters wife, after Cameron transferred the shares over. The company is a second defendant.
So awards and apportioned costs against them will require payment, and liquidation in the event that they cannot pay – which seems likely. The liquidatorwould probably sell off the company assets including the site.
Note below that they may have separated the site as an asset: https://thestandard.org.nz/cameron-slater-slithers-into-bankruptcy/#comment-1588395
It is interesting that they have set up another separate limited company to the Social Media Consultants Ltd that Slater and Atkins first set up in 2009. in addition to the Whale Meat Company Ltd also set up just a few days ago.
I presume you saw my comment at 6.2 above with the current details on the NZ Companies Register whereby Juana Atkins is now the sole shareholder/director of Social Media Consultants Ltd as from 22 Feb 2019 and for the Whale Meat Company Limited incorporated/registered on 26 February 2019.
Re the link to the Register for the WOBH Limited included in your comment below at 9, this shows as a change of name a day earlier on 25 February 2019 with this company originally set up as MADAS 114 Limited on 13 February 2019 if you click on the Previous Names link. All other details ( Company number, etc) on the Company Summary page other than the name itself are the the same for both listings with one exception..
An interesting anomaly is that the Company Summary listing for WOBH shows the incorporation date as 13 February 2019 but the actual Certificate of Incorporation as 25 February 2019 – ie
” This is to certify that MADAS 116 LIMITED was incorporated under the Companies Act 1993 on the 25th day of February 2019
and changed its name to WHALE MEAT COMPANY LIMITED on the 26th day of February 2019.”
Re Howard Taylor listed as the only Director of WOBH Ltd, he is also the only Director of the new Whale Meat Company Ltd.
However, the previous addresses page for Social Media Consultants Ltd shows that Taylor has been associated with Social Media Consultants Ltd with the company’s registered address and address for service being that of Taylor’s Accountancy business since June 2015, ie
https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/2303831/addresses
Taylor has not been, nor is he now, a Director of Social Media Consultants Ltd. Cam Slater and Paul Honnor are the only other previous Directors from the Directors page in the Companies Register.
So all of this looks a bit like them trying to do some last minute ‘rearrangements’ to try to protect assets etc. If Slater has or is about to declare bankruptcy, probably a little too late as the Official Assignee can look at such rearrangements and reverse any actions taken to hide assets away.
But has anyone got any proof that he has done so or really is intending to do so? I haven’t seen any to date, and have seen speculation that this is just another attempt to buy time etc.
(Also see my 6.2.2 above re Taylor).
Helpful accountants always have a shell company or two sitting around when a client needs an urgent solution. All able to be unwound though, as you say ..
And PG has commented below about Slater now being officially bankrupt: https://thestandard.org.nz/cameron-slater-slithers-into-bankruptcy/#comment-1588676
He does wood lice no favours.
Indeed. Wood lice actually have a purpose.
I suspect this whole dirty scenario had its origins in the 1990s when we became a fully paid up member of the neoliberal brigade. It unleashed a culture of behaviour that we had not encountered before in NZ.
In the 1990s there were three publicly revealed break-ins. One involved Judith Tizard’s home and the other two were Auckland-based political headquarters – one Labour and the other the Alliance Party. There was evidence that membership and supporters lists were interfered with. In the case of the Labour break-in, the culprit had the cheek to use the office copying machine to make copies of these lists.
There could only be one motive for those break-ins and that was to gather information about individuals – information that could be used against them at a later date. That imo was when the Dirty Political machine became operative and eventually evolved into the vicious attacking of individuals that became prevalent from the mid-2000s.
I know the identity of a couple of people likely involved in those early escapades, and one at least was associated with Cameron Slater in later years.
I have no doubt Anne that this illegal activity carried on during Keys tenure.
It has the smell of water gate all over it but the difference is that no trail led directly back to Key other than Eade being implicated and the PMs dept being involved.
That was as close as it got to Key and as damning as that was the others took the fall for their boss.
I noticed this change in our political environment starting in 2004 with Brash being elected leader of the National party.
That 2005 campaign was a full attack on the Helen and her government.
I don’t remember the dancing cossacks but from what i have read and watched Muldoon’s tactics in 1975 was probably the start of what we have seen as of late.
Imo, Key was an enabler but he wasn’t directly involved. After Hager’s book “Dirty Politics” was published he relinquished all ties with the D.P. mob. That marked the beginning of the end for Slater.
My comment @ 8 was by way of back-ground material which led to D.P.
And of course there was the attempt by Slater and co. to get into Labour’s computers using the back door. That’s the humorous side of the story. He’s keen to get his hands on other people’s personal material, but when someone does it to him by way of reprisal, he throws tantrums and declares himself the victim.
Yes thanks for the background Anne i always find your input into these things interesting.
My error was Brash becoming leader in 2004.
It was in fact October 2003.
Whatever key was, and he was a lot of things, he gained financially and politically from the activities of the dirty politics crims and he should go to gaol and so should they.
There was also the break-in at Don Brash’s home and his “romantic interest” Diane Foreman. She said about who could have done her break-ins – “There are a range of possibilities. I think the culprit is closer to home.”
[http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/1101/Diane-Foreman-breaks-silence-on-burglaries]
More shuffling of the deckchairs, noted yesterday by parliamentary observer Phil Lyth:
https://twitter.com/philiplyth/status/1100300243118112770
Yep, WOBH Ltd:
https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/7271736
John Key and Judith Collins will bail her out
I’m always amused that people think that a domain registry confers ownership.
1. Domains are effectively owned by the state, and parcelled out via the national registries. Having a domain is a rental – not a ownership right.
2. In NZ this is pretty obvious. Having a domain only requires 3 things, an admin contact, a technical contact, and a payment. There is nothing in there that confers ownership. In return the register gives you exclusive access provided they decide not to (and the conditions that govern when they may choose to do so are pretty flexible and they aren’t limited).
3. Not to mention that both the courts and the government have immense powers whenever they choose to exercise them.+
A company or individual running website is liable for publishing defamatory material. Who is responsible are the organisation or individual running actually the site at the time of publication, as well as the author of the offending material.
In this case that was either or both of Cameron Slater or the company enjoined currently as second defendant.
A sale of the assets of the site – which are really the material on the site, its ‘goodwill’, its access to the domain, and its revenue streams have to be properly accounted for to the courts and the official assignee /liquidator on behalf of creditors. What this means is that the any money for the transfer of control/ownership or control of the shelf company come into the resolution on the behalf of creditors.
Basically, if accurate, this probably means that Cameron & co are just playing shell games for legal positioning. It is just another delaying tactic. Rather pointless.
//—-
Looking down, I see that Pete George has done a post on ownership.
https://yournz.org/2019/02/28/slater-officially-bankrupt-whale-oil-whale-meat-ownership-changes/
It appears that Mr Taylor is the accountant for a number of the Slater and Atkins ventures.
The url is just another asset. If it had no value, why transfer control to a different entity.
They have a rental on it and a presumption of being able to continue to lease it.
Re, your reference to PG’s post today on ownership, I see he mentions Redbaiter’s comment here at 6 above.
Perhaps you missed my reply to Redbaiter yesterday at 6.2 at 11.51am with full company details for both Social Media Consultants Ltd and the new company set up on 26 February 2019 for Whale Meat Company Ltd. I wasn’t aware of the other new company WOBH Ltd also set up recently (actually as MADAS 114 Ltd on 13 February but changed to WOBH also on 26 February 2019) which Sacha raised at 9 above.
While you were posting your comment above, I was putting together another comment now at 6.3.1.1 in which I provided information and some links to the Companies Register showing that Howard Taylor has been involved in providing the registered office and office for service to Social Media Consultants Ltd since June 2015, and also now for WOBH Ltd and Whale Meat Company Ltd and is also the only Director for both those latter two new companies.
Without seeing your comment above, I also commented that I thought that Slater and co were just attempting rearrangements which were not likely to get past the Official Assignee if indeed Slater actually filed for bankruptcy. My view was that until proven that he had or was going to file, this was yet another delaying tactic – as I now see you also thought. LOL
However, according to PG’s post it now seems Slater has actually filed for bankruptcy so it will be interesting to see what happens vis a vis these last minute manipulations.
Yesterday at 6.2.2, I also provided a link to a 2009 decision by the Disciplinary Tribunal of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of NZ whereby a certain member (Taylor) pleaded guilty to misconduct in a professional capacity, conduct unbecoming an accountant and breaching the Institute’s Rules and Code of Ethics.
I recall, from some years ago, listening to “The Panel” under Jim Moragh, hearing David Farrar extolling Whaleoil as interesting and amusing.
Interesting what spin doctors say when they are not lying. They sound like politicians.
It’s a win for everyone
Slater was officially adjudicated bankrupt yesterday.
I have collated the various ownership changes here:
https://yournz.org/2019/02/28/slater-officially-bankrupt-whale-oil-whale-meat-ownership-changes/
Failed to mount a legal defence… So what else is new?
Slater must be getting his advice from a complete moron if he thinks that putting assets in his wife’s name and then declaring bankruptcy to avoid costs will work. It won’t and its doubtful Slater’s backers will keep funding such a loser especially when the Assignee opens up his bank accounts. Lawyers always get paid even if it means Slater and his wife have to sell up. After all, they’re personally liable for the costs because it’s their company. Own it mofos!
Normally I would feel sympathy for someone in Slater’s position but look at all the bile and disinformation he’s spread across the Internet. Scumbags like Slater don’t deserve sympathy!
Turgid rightie Liam Hehir minimises years of appalling behaviour:
https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/28-02-2019/does-cameron-slaters-departure-from-whale-oil-signal-the-end-of-an-era/
Nope. So much for ‘personal responsibility’.
He’s a revolting cunt, equally hated by all sides of the political spectrum.
As for the “he’s a family man” what the fuck has that got to do with anything?
An attempt to remind people better than slater that trauma to families as collatoral damage should be avoided where possible, rather than regarded as an extra incentive.
A fair point, but sadly one that fights for air at the rank hypocrisy of pleading that on slater’s behalf, when he was (at best) completely reckless as to the harm he caused others, directly or indirectly.
But also a point that happily goes by the wayside when his spouse is current owner of the mechanisms by which he use to inflict that harm, and therefore a complicit party in that damage. I don’t know if he has kids. I pity them if he does.
I have always felt sorry for his kids, poor buggers.
btw, I really like cunts. Seems a bit unfair to associate them with slater.
So Liam thinks that blogs have disappeared and we now tweet sarcastic one-liners from Twitter. Yeah so that has increased the depth and value of political debate how?