In case you missed it: Nicky Hager awarded interim costs

Written By: - Date published: 9:30 am, November 15th, 2016 - 34 comments
Categories: journalism, police - Tags: , ,

In case you missed this last week amongst the US presidential election aftermath, via Stuff:

Investigative journalist Nicky Hager has been awarded interim legal costs towards $475,082 spent suing police.

The author of Dirty Politics won the first part of his case against police for the way a warrant was obtained to search his Wellington home in October 2014.

Police said they were looking for evidence of the identity of a computer hacker who gave Hager material for his book.

A High Court judge found police breached their duty of candour in the information they gave a district court judge who was asked to issue the warrant.

Special rules apply to looking for information from and about journalists, and the judge’s attention was not drawn to that.

Go hard, Nicky.

Previous coverage of Nicky Hager’s case at The Standard:

34 comments on “In case you missed it: Nicky Hager awarded interim costs ”

  1. One Anonymous Bloke 1

    Great news which means nothing to those police who lied to the courts. This will not cost them a cent, let alone ensure that they face charges of conspiracy to commit perjury.

    • Chuck 1.1

      You can always initiate a private prosecution if you feel strongly enough about your convictions OAB.

      “Great news which means nothing to those police who lied to the courts”

      “let alone ensure that they face charges of conspiracy to commit perjury”

  2. save nz 2

    Fantastic news. I hope the final settlement is very high as a deterrent for these politically motivated illegal searches by police. It sounds like members of the police did not agree with it and were just following orders.

    Of course now the government can just get the SIS to do it, no questions asked and they are indemnified from the law or any public transparency.

    Not what you would expect in a democracy.

  3. greywarshark 3

    That’s very good news for Nicky and for those of us who love having a country ruled by (good) law.

  4. dukeofurl 4

    The other parts of his cases against Police are still ongoing.
    Award of damages for their illegal search warrants
    Accessing his travel records
    Accessing his bank accounts.

    All this and yet the police generally refuse to attend a house burglary after its occurred. Yet they flew detectives from Auckland to do the Hager search.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 4.1

      This isn’t really a part of the case – it’s part of the invoice.

    • tc 4.2

      Its all about priorities with nationals police.

      Prominent kiwis, journos that annoy the govt, camermen who record public chats etc

  5. Colonial Viper 5

    Absolutely deserved for Hager and the service that he has rendered to all Kiwis; our courts still recognise what true justice is…sometimes.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 5.1

      1. It’s going to his lawyers, not him.
      2. Don’t forget to wipe up the piss you just aimed at the justice system’s pocket.

      • Garibaldi 5.1.1

        OAB, there is no need for such vitriol (as in 2 above). If you think our courts are perfect you are delusional. Our justice system is more centred around how much money you have and not on justice. Or is it a just a case of, like mm, you cannot help yourself when CV says something?

        • Chris 5.1.1.1

          “Look, there’s that bloody right-wing Hitler-loving piece of shit standing up for Hager again. And to think our taxes are paying for that. He makes me fucking sick.”

      • Chris 5.1.2

        If it didn’t go to his lawyers then he’d have to pay them himself so same difference.

  6. ianmac 6

    Imagine if the costs had gone the other way. So, great for Nicky and the lrgal team who stood by him all the way.

  7. Bob 7

    Brilliant! Does anyone know if Givealittle has the ability to reverse payments in these kinds of situations (since he obviously will no longer require the donations): https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/nickyhager

    • rob 7.1

      funny,(not really funny) how this gets buggar all of a mention in the news etc. when it going to cost the tax payer yet again for another cock up

      • Garibaldi 7.1.1

        It’s probably just as well it is not common knowledge, it would only fire up idiots like Hosking and the rest of the “hate Hager” club. Sadly that mob are a majority in this misled country.

        • tc 7.1.1.1

          Majority in the MSM.

          I think wider NZ realises that Hager has done an honest and worthy job but they also understand the vindictiveness of shonky’s regime so they wisely keep their own council.

      • Scott 7.1.2

        It was reported, at least on Stuff’s website, last Friday. You’re right though, I didn’t see it anywhere else.

        But in the end it is not that newsworthy. He was awarded scale costs (not the figure above – actually under half of it), and that is typical when someone wins a judicial review case. In a way it would be newsworthy if it were anything else.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1.2.1

          Whereas in reality these are interim costs, and he hasn’t won anything yet.

          • Scott 7.1.2.1.1

            As far as I can discover he has been awarded costs on the action so far (in that way they are interim). A copy of the decision has yet to be published on the nzlii website (but it seems to have been made on 8 Nov) so I haven’t been able to confirm the detail in the Stuff report about it.

            The Court has yet to hear argument on damages, so he may have that to come along with scale costs contribution toward time spent on that step. Then again, it may well settle from here.

    • Scott 7.2

      Not a silly point Bob. There were nearly $66,000 of donations.

      But he did not get awarded all he sought so the donations will still leave a shortfall.

      According to Stuff on 11 November (and there may be a more up to date account):

      “The High Court has yet to hear Hager’s claim for damages from police for breaching his rights. In the meantime, his lawyers asked for police to pay Hager’s legal costs of $475,082.78. Alternatively, they asked for costs on a reduced scale of $232,672.78.
      Justice Denis Clifford awarded the lower level of costs, further reduced to pay for two lawyers but not for the third who appeared in court for Hager. The judge did not put a figure on the amount of the reduction.”

      Notice the report in the post above uses the word “towards” in the opening line.

      • GregJ 7.2.1

        Actually it is a silly point.

        It was clear on the page “Any money over and above what is needed for legal costs will go to help Nicky continue his work.”

        I donated – I’m happy for the money to go towards his legal costs or to support his work. Frankly if he wants to use some of it to go and buy himself a bloody big beer to relax that’s fine with me.

  8. Aaron 8

    I think I speak for everyone when I say:

    $475,000!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • save nz 8.1

      @Aaron

      I’d like to see full court costs plus 1 million in damages for Hager … send the government a message, courts!!!

      Otherwise Hager gets nothing for all the disruption to his life and livelihood and the lawyers get everything! Not really justice even if there is justice!

      Journalism is a dying art. Only a few decent journo’s left so very important justice is given to Hager to keep our government and media transparent.

  9. Tom Barker 9

    I donated towards Nicky’s court cases. If he recovers the whole amount plus damages from the cops, I’ll be delighted and he’s welcome to keep my donation since I have no doubt at all that he’ll use it wisely and well on behalf of us all.

  10. RedBaronCV 10

    Well all the mangers at the cops who get over say $150k should have their salaries cut back to the minimum wage until those costs are paid -or some variation on that theme-

    Why should they get higher salaries when they are clearly not up to the task.
    And how much are we going to be paying out for those illegal stops in the Hutt?

    • tc 10.1

      They’re up to the task, it’s just not the task you expected as it’s more political than policing with national pulling their strings.

      National have successfully devalued the NZ Police in most kiwis eyes as they’ve happily played their political game rather than do their job of police at times.

      Salters diversion being one of many ‘wtf’ moments which was pure politics zero policing.

    • The New Student 10.2

      Or should the paycuts be applied to those who manage the managers of the ‘cops’

  11. Paul Campbell 11

    Pity this doesn’t come out of the police beer fund …. You and I will end up paying for it and the police who behaved so badly will suffer no consequences

  12. Michelle 12

    We wont hear much about this from our mainstream media just like we didn’t hear much about John Miller the ACC lawyer who won his case and other cases against the crown/ACC fighting for the soldier who suffered from PT depression and many Nzers have had to go to court as the gnats have been denying them ACC entitlements and our government has had to fork out millions but many NZers don’t actually know about this as it is kept quiet and hidden by our media shame on them. NZ police need to be sorted they are the biggest gang in NZ

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T10:46:17+00:00