Craig v Stringer

[2023] NZHC 666

IN THE HIGH COURT OF NEW ZEALAND AUCKLAND REGISTRY

I TE KŌTI MATUA O AOTEAROA TĀMAKI MAKAURAU ROHE

CIV 2015-409-575

[2023] NZHC 666

BETWEEN

COLIN GRAEME CRAIG

Plaintiff

AND

JOHN STRINGER

Defendant

Hearing:

Further submissions:

14-25 March 2022

8 and 22 April 2022, 18 and 19 May 2022, 7 June 2022 and 13
June 2022

Appearances:

Plaintiff in person

Defendant in person (with J Simpson as McKenzie friend) W Akel, counsel assisting the Court

Judgment:

29 March 2023

JUDGMENT OF CAMPBELL J

This judgment was delivered by me on 29 March 2023 at 4.30 pm pursuant to Rule 11.5 of the High Court Rules

Registrar/Deputy Registrar

CRAIG v STRINGER [2023] NZHC 666 [29 March 2023]

Introduction............................................................................................................... [1]

Factual outline........................................................................................................... [6]

Mr Craig enters politics......................................................................................... [6]

Ms MacGregor is engaged as press secretary for Mr Craig  [9]

Initial expressions of affection............................................................................ [11]

Boundaries are put in place, but tested................................................................ [17]

Employment review and reversion to being a contractor in 2012  [28]

Letters and cards late 2012 and early 2013......................................................... [30]

Christmas 2013.................................................................................................... [34]

Mr Craig helps Ms MacGregor with her finances............................................... [42]

Lead up to the 2014 general election................................................................... [44]

Ms MacGregor resigns on 18 September 2014................................................... [49]

Ms MacGregor claims that Mr Craig sexually harassed her  [53]

Ms MacGregor and Mr Craig settle at mediation................................................ [57]

Ms MacGregor’s allegations are made public..................................................... [58]

Mr Craig sues Mr Stringer for defamation.............................................................. [66]

A settlement, a recall, and a strike out..................................................................... [70]

Other defamation proceedings, and a (temporary) stay of this proceeding             [78]

Implications for the trial of this proceeding............................................................ [87]

The pleadings at trial............................................................................................... [92]

Publication 1: The Nation interview on 20 June 2015........................................ [95]

Publication 2: CTV interview on 6 July 2015................................................... [100]

Publication 3: Morning Report interview on 23 June 2015  [104]

Publication 4: Mr Stringer’s email of 19 June 2015.......................................... [108]

Publication 5: Stuff interview on 27 June 2015................................................. [112]

Publication 6: Mr Stringer’s blog post on 25 June 2015  [116]

Publication 7: Mr Stringer’s blog post on 30 June 2015  [121]

Publication 8: Mr Stringer’s blog post on 1 July 2015...................................... [124]

Publication 9: Mr Stringer’s blog post on 3 July 2015...................................... [126]

Publication 10: Mr Stringer’s blog post on 9 July 2015  [128]

Publication 11: Mr Stringer’s blog post on 21 July 2015  [131]

Publication 12: Mr Stringer’s blog post on 2 August 2015  [135]

Publication 13: Mr Stringer’s blog post on 13 August 2015  [138]

Publication 14: Mr Stringer’s email of 11 October 2015  [143]

Publication 15: Mr Stringer’s email of 11 February 2016  [145]

Publication 16: Mr Stringer’s email of 22 February 2016  [149]

Publication 17: Mr Stringer’s email of 12 December 2015  [151]

Mr Craig’s claim of loss or damage to his reputation........................................ [155]

Mr Craig’s claim for aggravated and punitive damages  [156]

Mr Stringer’s affirmative defences.................................................................... [157]

Mr Craig raises an issue estoppel.......................................................................... [159]

Mr Craig narrows the pleaded meanings............................................................... [161]

The governing legal principles............................................................................... [164]

The issues............................................................................................................... [176]

Did Mr Stringer publish each of the statements on which Mr Craig sues?...........…