Every election we see mainstream media push their favourite candidates and denigrate, lampoon or ignore opponents.

Let’s analyse reporter Hayden Donnell’s article 12/8/25, in spinoff entitled ‘ The motley crew of contenders trying to take down Auckland mayor Wayne Brown.’

I like a laugh as much as anyone, but this article looks like thinly veiled campaign support for Mayor ‘Band-aid’ Brown.

Firstly the photograph. The Mayor in the centre looking good. Their other favourite Leoni has a pleasant shot on the right corner and another lesser player on the left to give a false impression of impartiality.

The major challenger, myself, upside down at the top. The media is getting warmed up to lampooning opponents , while supporting their status quo. No doubt Brown is still up to his big campaign spending habits. Notice that Brown and Leoni don’t get hit with nasty humour? And most of the mundane candidates were left pretty much alone in the article.

Wayne Brown gets the full ‘converted enemy’ propaganda support technique from Donnell. It starts with a mild attack on Brown then says he has changed, and now he is the best thing since sliced bread. Very effective propaganda. This purported humorous piece is really a big support push for Brown.

O’Donnell then goes for a full on political assassination attack of myself. It is not a jest. Luckily I can dodge his bullets.

No mention of my 15,600 votes in 2019 where the sign was used, or my competence or policies and solutions. That’s not his job today. Then he tries to pretend impartiality by adding that I am a criminal barrister of 30 years.

I am Brown’s major opponent, as Leoni has no chance of winning, and Brown and the media know it. I am the only one who challenges Brown on competence, and policies.

Leoni is basically a second rate version of Efeso Collins, less experienced, less well known and with only a tiny period to campaign. Brown wants a 2 person race so he can be wheeled across the finish line in a coma, and still win.

Then we see Donnell show respect and courtesy to Leoni. Not a single laugh at her expense.

"Donnell, learn to be impartial even in comedy. A thinly veiled hit job is not funny."

In these local body elections the real opponents are the biassed media , not the ‘favourite’ candidates, as neither ‘Band Aid’ Brown nor Leoni are particularly good candidates, even with their Patronage and money.

However they get a free ride on the back of their pet media to the finish line.

© Scoop Media