Hundreds of Wellingtonians gathered for the launch of investigative journalist Nicky Hager's newest book, which he says focuses on a prominent right-wing lobby group.
Hager revealed the topic of the book, titled Dirty Work, tonight amid significant speculation over its contents with the election less than 50 days away.
He told hundreds gathered at Wellington's Unity Books for the launch that his book would examine the Taxpayers' Union, a well-known political advocacy organisation.
Speaking at the launch, he said the book differed from his earlier investigations because it drew largely on interviews with insiders rather than leaked documents.
"Compared to the earlier books, which were based largely on leaked documents, this book was based largely on insiders, former … staff, and associated people," he said.
"It gives a rare inside view."
It follows the author's earlier works, The Hollow Men and Dirty Politics, among other titles.
Hager said his new book would cover a range of subjects, including the fundraising of groups such as the Taxpayers' Union, its lobbying campaigns, and alleged tactics intended to shift New Zealand's politics in what he termed a "hard-right" shift.
He said it also addressed broadcaster Maiki Sherman's departure from TVNZ earlier this year, a subject he said he added late because it seemed too important to leave out.
'A full frontal attack'
In a newsletter sent out to subscribers this evening, the Taxpayers' Union's executive director Jordan Williams said the book was a "full frontal attack" on the group.
Williams claimed Hager "did not put the allegations in this book to us" or seek an interview prior to publication.
"He did not give us the opportunity to correct errors or provide missing context before publication," he said.
"Instead, he released his accusations at a carefully choreographed media event, in the middle of an election campaign, knowing that the headlines would be written before we could even obtain a copy of the book – let alone check its claims.
"The smears travel around the country before the truth has even had time to put its boots on."
Williams continued: "The book is a full frontal attack on the Taxpayers' Union."
He said the organisation would "work through the book carefully" and claims made by Hager would be "checked against the evidence".
"Where Hager has identified something that genuinely requires an answer, we will answer it. Where he has omitted important context, conflated unrelated events or simply got something wrong, we will put the evidence before the public."
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