Greens blast 'backing the gangs' election billboard ads
The Green Party in New Zealand is challenging controversial election billboards that accuse them of 'backing the gangs.' The billboards, funded by the Sensible Sentencing Trust, have been paused by the media company while the Advertising Standards Authority reviews the complaints.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights tensions regarding political advertising standards and the use of 'astroturf' groups in election campaigns.
The Sensible Sentencing Trust is "formally challenging" Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick to meet with it - and victims of gang violence - before the election.
The lobby group launched election attack ads featuring both Green co-leaders Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson, as well as Labour leader Chris Hipkins, alongside the text "BACKING THE GANGS" above the Greens' campaign slogan "for all of us".
Swarbrick called the ads an "entirely new low" and called on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to condemn the "despicable downgrading of democracy".
The party complained to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
JC Decaux, the media company that owns the billboards, told RNZ it had paused the ads while it reviewed the concerns raised.
Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesperson Louise Parsons said the Greens' outrage over the ads was deeply hypocritical - citing its candidates campaigning with gang members.
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