Manufacturing consent for attacks on Māori
We have previously reported on the digital campaign side-project of Taxpayers' Union's Jordan Williams - The Campaign Company. It has a client list that reads like an Atlas Network membership…
NZ First Minister Casey Costello forced to apologise after acting ‘contrary to law’
We have previously reported on Associate Health Minister Casey Costello’s links to the Atlas Network and her links to the tobacco industry. Earlier this year she was accused of implementing…
Israel floods social media to shape opinion around the war
Since Hamas’ attack, Israel has pushed dozens of online ads, including graphic videos, to millions of people to drum up support for its actions. Since Hamas attacked thousands of its…
Media Council upholds complaint about undeclared conflict of interest in tobacco control opinion piece
The Media Council has upheld part of a complaint about an opinion piece in The Press written by an employee of The New Zealand Initiative, a right-leaning think tank supported…
Atlas Network-aligned Minister left $46b benefit of Smokefree reforms out of Cabinet paper
We have previously reported on Associate Health Minister Casey Costello's links to the Atlas Network and her links to the tobacco industry. Recently she was accused of implementing tobacco industry…
Understanding Atlas: how a right-wing network is building global influence
Critics of the Atlas Network often characterise it as a conspiracy. But this framing isn’t helpful, and can make it easier for people to dismiss any critique of the Atlas…
The Republicans are the party of the Atlas Network
Project 2025 is hosted by the Heritage Foundation, a preeminent Atlas Network thinktank. Heritage has consistentlyfought climate action adhering to the Network’s fossil-fuel donor’s goals. Its new Christian Nationalist president, Kevin Roberts, has…
Astroturfing groups use deceptive tactics around Covid Inquiry
New Zealand is currently holding a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the government's response to the global Covid-19 pandemic. While many organisations and groups have valid reasons for informing their…
NZ First Minister Shane Jones says he doesn’t know or care about tobacco industry transparency rules
We reported recently on coalition government partner NZ First Ministers' connections to the Atlas Network and the tobacco industry. We even saw the NZ First Associate Minister of Health Casey…
The Campaign Company: Astroturfing for fun and profit
Jordan Williams is the co-Founder, Executive Director and high-profile spokesperson of the Taxpayers' Union. Incorporated in 2013, the organisation purports to target government waste, but it has been alternately described…