TVNZ wins High Court defamation battle over Talley’s safety reporting

TVNZ has successfully defended itself in a defamation case taken by food production company Talley's. (Image: NZME)

Wed, 17 Dec 2025

South Island food producer Talley’s has lost its defamation case against Television New Zealand (TVNZ), with the High Court at Auckland comprehensively ruling in the media company’s favour.The case, being heard before Justice Pheroze Jagose, was closely watched by the media industry as TVNZ sought to defend its reporting of six stories in 2021 and 2022 by One News’ Christchurch-based reporter Thomas Mead.The stories alleged substandard health and safety practices at Talley’s plants in Ashburton and Blenheim, and the agri...

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