Osmose New Zealand v Wakeling - [2007] 1 NZLR 841

Defamation — Privilege — Qualified privilege — Media reporting defendant’s statements as to wood preservative — Whether media having defence of qualified privilege — Whether publication of other views negating ill will — Defamation Act 1992, s 20.

Tort — Joint tortfeasors — Media reporting defendant’s statements as to wood preservative — Defendants claiming contribution from media — Whether media liable to plaintiff as other tortfeasor — Whether media had defence to direct claim by plaintiff — Whether media’s right to indemnity from defendants negating contribution claim by defendants — Whether defendants and media liable for same damage — Law Reform Act 1936, s 17(1)(c).

Agency — Formation of contract — Media publishing alleged defamation by defendants — Whether media agents of defendants — Whether agency defeating rule in defamation as to joint publishers.