National's anti-Labour crime ad uses footage from Government's own term
New Zealand's National Party is facing criticism for using footage from its own term in an attack ad that blames the Labour Party for crime. The ad, which accuses Labour of gaslighting, includes clips of incidents that occurred after the current government took office.
Why it matters
The controversy highlights the use of misleading visual evidence in political campaigning and the scrutiny of political advertising.
<p>A National attack ad accusing Labour of "gaslighting" the public over crime sources a third of its footage from incidents that occurred after the coalition took office rather than during Labour's term.</p> <p>National leader Christopher Luxon stood by the ad's message despite some footage having been filmed under his own government, while Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen accused the party of "lying their way through this campaign".</p> <p>The video, posted on multiple social media platforms, was captioned "We can't go back. Party Vote National" and "never forget how they gaslighted you". </p> <p>It intercuts footage of former prime ministers Dame Jacinda Ardern and Chris Hipkins defending crime statistics with 15 clips showing ram raids, smash-and-grabs, armed robberies and gang activity.
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