Nicky Hager’s new book, Dirty Work: Taxpayers’ Union’s Jordan Williams responds
Jordan Williams of the Taxpayers' Union has denied allegations made in Nicky Hager's new book, 'Dirty Work', which claims the group has a right-wing agenda and internal disputes. Williams is considering legal action while focusing on upcoming election campaigns.
Why it matters
The conflict highlights the intersection of investigative journalism, political advocacy, and potential defamation in the lead-up to national elections.
Taxpayers’ Union executive director Jordan Williams says it is “very tempting” to want to sue Nicky Hager over his new book, Dirty Work.
The book, released at an event in Wellington last night, made several claims against the group and its co-founders, Williams and David Farrar. That included that the group had an internal dispute in 2022 over whether it should move beyond tax and economic issues and campaign more heavily on Māori and co-governance issues.
Hager told a crowd of hundreds last night that it was an exposé of the “latest front for New Zealand’s hard right”.
It also claimed the TPU settled an employment dispute involving allegations of sexual harassment against Williams. He rejects the allegation.
“This really came from nowhere,” he told Ryan Bridge TODAY this morning.
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