This is edition 2025/209 of the Ten@10 newsletter.
Hi all,
This is the Ten@10, where I collate and summarise ten news items you generally won't see in the mainstream media.
Enjoy!
1. Rot Part 3: Coster's legacy and the political fallout
Ani O'Brien
- 🏛️ Corruption spreads: When corruption takes hold in institutions, it becomes a deeply rooted issue, affecting not just individuals but entire systems, including the Police.
- 🎭 Andrew Coster's rise: Coster’s appointment as Police Commissioner in 2020 was seen as politically motivated, chosen for his progressive stance, despite lacking experience. This created a politically motivated environment within the police.
- 💼 Political manipulation: The Police intervened to protect Jacinda Ardern’s partner, Clarke Gayford, from rumors, blurring the lines between law enforcement and political protection, eroding public trust in their neutrality.
- 🕊️ "Policing by consent": Coster’s approach, emphasizing leniency and “trust-building,” led to a lack of deterrence, with crime rates rising and gangs thriving under his leadership.
- 🚨 Soft-on-crime policies: Labour’s focus on reducing the prison population led to empty prisons but didn't reduce crime, making New Zealand streets more dangerous while policing focused on community relations rather than enforcement.
- 🤔 Coster’s indecision: His management during the 2022 Parliament protest was marked by hesitation and overcorrection, further damaging the Police’s image and morale.
- 🍷 Kiri Allan's arrest: Political influence over police procedures became evident when Kiri Allan's delayed breath test and interference with communication raised questions about political manipulation within the Police.
- 🛠️ Failure of accountability: Coster’s role in the McSkimming scandal, filtering communications and intervening politically, shows the extreme lack of transparency and accountability, undermining the democratic process.
- 📰 Media complicity: The media’s failure to investigate the misconduct and their selective reporting on the scandal highlighted a growing culture of uncritical journalism, further eroding public trust.
- 🔄 Rebuilding trust: The departure of Coster marked a shift towards more decisive leadership, with improved Police performance and public trust. However, the lasting damage of his tenure remains a significant issue for future governments.
- ⚖️ The rot runs deep: The corruption exposed by this scandal is not limited to the Police but extends through the political class, the bureaucracy, and the media, raising serious questions about institutional integrity.
