Michael O'Brien
Solicitor in the Public Law team at MinterEllisonRuddWatts, Wellington, and host of the firm's Election 2026 podcast series on New Zealand electoral law.
1
APPEARANCES
1
PODCASTS
Sep 29, 2026
19:02
Going back to the current law then, how do the two different complaint processes work?
Michael O'BrienGUEST
Really important thing to note here is that the ASA is a self-funding industry body.
Michael O'BrienGUEST
It develops various advertising codes, which include general rules and standards for all ads, and considers complaints about ads which breach these codes.
Michael O'BrienGUEST
The Code doesn't include specific rules for so-called advocacy advertising.
Michael O'BrienGUEST
This includes election ads, and it also includes general rules around truthful representation.
Michael O'BrienGUEST
Examples of the latter include, advertisers must hold evidence to substantiate all claims made in an advertisement.
11 MINS LATER
31:01
And what about broadcasting outside the election period? What are the rules there?