Monday
ACT New Zealand leader David Seymour has scorned a new survey conducted by AUT's Journalism, Media and Democracy research centre which shows that trust in news has increased significantly.
‘‘I don’t trust it,’’ he said.
The report reveals that trust in news in general increased from 32% in 2025 to 37% in 2026. And 50% of New Zealanders trust the news they personally consume, a significant increase from 45% in 2025.
‘‘The data is obviously pretty crazed, and puts public funding of AUT at severe risk,’’ said Mr Seymour.
The report also showed that RNZ was perceived as the most trusted news brand, followed by the Otago Daily Times and TVNZ. Newsroom, Interest.co.nz, The Listener and the Waikato Times were jointly perceived as the fourth most trusted brands.
‘‘This shows clear bias,’’ the Act leader said.
‘‘Everyone I know trusts The Platform, so why doesn’t it feature in the survey?
‘‘I don’t listen to RNZ. I don’t watch TVNZ. I don't read The Listener. The survey is a joke, and the sooner we disestablish AUT, the better for everyone I know.’’
Tuesday
Act has overtaken Labour as the party that recorded the second largest amount in donations.
The figures show the parties received these amounts:
National: $6,275,234.46
Act: $2,445,225.79
Labour: $2,403,241.93
Act's largest donation in 2025 was $200,000 from tech entrepreneur Brian Cartmell, who also donated $201,993,91 to National, and $204,999 to New Zealand First.
‘‘Fake news,’’ said Act leader David Seymour.
The figures were released and verified as fact by the Electoral Commission.
‘‘They might want to start worrying about whether they have jobs to go to,’’ Mr Seymour said.
Wednesday
Act leader David Seymour has invited friends over to celebrate the government's decision to abolish the Broadcasting Standards Authority.
Sean Plunket from The Platform brought pies and doughnuts, and tech entrepreneur Brian Cartmell brought a cake. Jim Grennon, the largest shareholder in NZME, brought Herald editor Murray Kirkness to do the dishes.
‘‘This is a great day for press freedom,’’ said Mr Seymour.
‘‘Sean is now free to say whatever the hell he wants.’’
The band of four had a cup of tea, and wore strange robes.
Thursday
Radio New Zealand's John Campbell should start worrying whether he has a job to go, Act leader David Seymour has warned.
‘‘I don't like his questions,’’ he said in an interview with Sean Plunket on The Platform.
Everyone in the news media worth a damn argued that John Campbell was a brilliant and dedicated journalist.
‘‘I don’t trust what they have to say,’’ said Mr Seymour. ‘‘Do you, Sean?’’
‘‘No, mate, I don't,’’ replied Mr Plunket.
Friday
Act leader David Seymour has issued a number of edicts and instructed the news media to relay them to the masses without comment or questioning.
‘‘I have the natural intention to be and to remain the warm-hearted protector of the New Zealand press,’’ he said.
‘‘I think of the press as a great keyboard on which the government can play.
‘‘The moment one becomes aware of propaganda, it loses its effectiveness.
"It is not propaganda’s task to be intelligent, its task is to lead to success.’’
News media were not permitted to describe his strange robe.
