Asher Emanuel is a Wellington-based lawyer and the author of one of the most talked about books of the year. Described as a sensational piece of investigative journalism, The Valley exposes the nitty gritty of New Zealand's criminal justice system. We subjected Asher to a few questions of our own, with a 1News Grill.
What will be the biggest issue on your mind when you vote this November?
Unemployment is at an eleven-year high. Why can’t we have an economy where there are enough jobs for everyone? I’m not very convinced by the current explanations.
What's your worst character trait?
I can be a bit stubborn, though, in fairness to me, we could also call this persistence.
Which three adjectives best describe you as a teenager?
Bookish, blond, and board-short-wearing.
What is the hardest thing about writing a book?
Knowing when to stop.
Who is the most underrated person in New Zealand?
Geoff Bertram, an economist who has been studying the New Zealand economy for over sixty years, and knows about how the country worked before the 1980s. I really enjoyed the video interview he did with journalist Ollie Neas recently – anyone who wants to understand the long-standing causes of the cost-of-living crisis should check it out.
What do most New Zealanders misunderstand about our justice system?
Because of the way our news media tends to focus on the most attention-grabbing crime, we don’t really get a sense of the kind of cases that make up most of the courts' business. Many people would be surprised, I think, to learn that there are in fact people in prison for shoplifting.
Who do you envy?
I try not to. The grass is always greener…
What are three things you look for in a friend?
An interest in ideas, a commitment to justice, and a good sense of humour/humility.
What's one memory that lives rent-free in your head?
The 2008 election.
What's one vice you'd like to quit or reduce?
The dreaded screen. I am constantly plotting to destroy my phone.
What are the three elements of your perfect weekend?
A long run, a good sleep, plenty of time to read.
What was the last great book you read?
Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry. An enormous, sweeping Western. I shed a few tears.
Asher Emanuel will appear in conversation with Rebecca Macfie on September 6 at the WORD Christchurch Festival. See wordchristchurch.co.nz for tickets.
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