Opinion

Giving money to gangs is a risky business

Jehan Casinader
Sat, 17 Jul 2021

If gangs are to receive government funding, they need to meet a high bar. (Image: Tim Marshall, Unsplash)

Jehan Casinader
Sat, 17 Jul 2021

Have you heard of the “front page test”? Before making any decision, public servants are encouraged to consider: if this ended up on the front page of a newspaper, what would the consequences be? This week, the government has been dogged by a story that failed the front page test: a decision to provide $2.75 million of funding for a meth rehab programme linked to the Mongrel Mob. From a PR perspective, any headline that includes the words “government”, “gang” and “taxpayer money” is prob...

Try free for 10 days

Trustworthy, balanced journalism every day from our growing team of New Zealand business reporters and commentators, plus more in our weekend magazine section, The Life.

Instant News Alerts based on keywords you choose or journalists you follow
Our Daily Digest of all stories at 6am, midday or 6pm
A custom library of your saved stories
An industry-leading search engine
Try for 10 days without paying and if you’re not convinced cancel with just two clicks.

Support quality New Zealand journalism by subscribing today.

Find out more

Not convinced yet?

Subscribe to our Daily News Update free newsletter.

Boats

Dalton blinks: Auckland back in the America’s Cup hunt

Pattrick Smellie | Fri, 17 Sep 2021

Plans to announce an offshore host city for the 37th America's Cup are on hold as two of the three rumoured bidders baulk.

Coronavirus

Bar owner borrowed $30k to cover wage subsidy delays

Michael Andrew | Fri, 17 Sep 2021

Shaneel Sudhakar faced a 22-day delay in payment of the wage subsidy.

Opinion

Bridgecorp’s death knell a timely warning

Paul McBeth | Fri, 17 Sep 2021

A new generation of investors would do well to wander through the corporate graveyard of yesteryear.

Giving money to gangs is a risky business

Not convinced yet?

Your company has a subscription

Team