Defamation papers served on Little
I won't be repeating his allegations that Earl and I find hurtful – Lani Hagaman.
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Hawke’s Bay
Hotelier and NBR Rich Listers Earl and Lani Hagaman have started defamation proceedings in the High Court against Labour Party leader Andrew Little.
The Hagamans say Mr Little’s continuing failure to retract and apologise over allegations he made against them has resulted in defamation papers being served on Mr Little.
“The reasons we’re taking defamation action have been widely reported and I won’t be repeating his allegations that Earl and I find hurtful, highly offensive and totally false,” Mrs Hagaman says. “We will now clear our names in court.
“No further comment will be made and the case will now proceed to a hearing,” Mrs Hagaman says.
Mr Little had linked the awarding of the management contract for the Matavai Resort in Niue to donations the Hagamans gave to the National party during the tender process. Scenic Hotel does not own the Scenic Matavai Resort Niue but has the contract to manage it.
Mrs Hagaman said no one should be verbally attacked and denigrated because they believe in democracy and the right to make their own unsolicited political choice on who they want to give a donation to.
Mr Hagaman has spent 36 years in the tourism industry and created the largest New Zealand-owned and operated chain of hotels, many in areas big chains would not invest in.
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Sally Lindsay
Thu, 16 Jun 2016
Thu, 16 Jun 2016
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Defamation papers served on Little
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