Muddying The Waters? RCR Questions Media Coverage Of Vote Smart 2026
by RCR Media · SCOOPRCR Media, the registered third-party promoter behind Vote Smart 2026, says recent reporting by major news outlets has repeatedly confused separate election campaigns, their organisers and their legal obligations.
RCR co-founder Claire Deeks says the coverage has raised serious concerns about journalistic accuracy, fairness and balance.
"We welcome scrutiny of election advertising. But that scrutiny must be accurate, particularly when allegations of electoral non-compliance are involved.
"Across recent reports, we've seen headlines, images and the sequencing of information create misleading associations between separate campaigns. In one instance, an earlier RCR advertisement was prominently displayed alongside reporting about political party authorisations obtained for an entirely different advertisement.
"Our campaign and advertising have featured prominently in this reporting, yet we have not been approached for comment before publication."
Separate campaigns, separate responsibilities
Deeks says confusion surrounding Mr Harry Mowbray's Split Your Vote initiative has made clarification necessary.
"Vote Smart 2026 was conceived, developed and is managed independently by RCR Media. Mr Mowbray has made a contribution to our campaign for which we are grateful as we have been for the many other contributions of the same scale or greater. Mr Mowbray has not been involved in our campaign's strategy, advertising, creative development, management or political party authorisations. Questions surrounding one campaign’s compliance should not be incorrectly attributed to another.”
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RCR Media has been registered as a third-party promoter and obtained written authorisations from ACT and New Zealand First for its Don Brash advertorial.
"We've taken our legal obligations seriously from the outset. We've also invested considerable time and resources into ensuring our advertising complies with the rules.
"We should not have to defend our campaign against misleading impressions created by reporting about another organisation's activities."
A substantial nationwide effort
We have printed more than one million flyers for distribution nationwide, alongside dozens of billboard sites, full-page newspaper advertisements, digital campaigns and educational resources.
A nationwide network of volunteers has supported the flyer delivery effort, drawing on the established community infrastructure of RCR and Voices For Freedom.
"We've spent years building relationships and community networks across New Zealand, and those networks have been invaluable in supporting this campaign. We're incredibly proud of the people who've volunteered evenings, weekends and countless hours to make it happen." says Deeks.
RCR Media intends to lodge a formal complaint concerning the 1News coverage and is raising concerns about reporting by other outlets.
"Media organisations rightly expect transparency and accountability from those involved in election campaigns. We expect the same commitment to accuracy and fairness in return.
"With advance voting underway, these distinctions matter. New Zealanders deserve reporting that informs them accurately, not reporting that leaves them with the wrong impression."
About RCR Media: RCR Media operates Reality Check Radio and is a registered third-party promoter for the 2026 general election. Its independently managed Vote Smart 2026 campaign provides information and commentary on MMP, strategic voting and the potential electoral consequences of different voting choices.
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