Overbearing?
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the job description of PR is to grease the wheels and ensure clients get good media coverage.
Back in July, Ardern was sent an OIA request by media asking for all letters, emails, documents relating to Groundswell NZ.
Ardern's office refused the request, saying media advice to the PM was being withheld.
However, following a complaint lodged with the Ombudsman, the PM's chief of staff has now advised that there were some briefing notes provided by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet's Policy Advisory Group.
It'd be interesting to know just what - and from whom - information about Groundswell both Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor and PM Ardern are hiding.
What's that about being open and transparent?
