Tertiary Institutes Allied Staff Association Inc v Tahana - [1998] 1 NZLR 41

Defamation — Defences — Letter of complaint about Chief Executive of a polytechnic sent to polytechnic council by two related unions representing tertiary education staff — Whether council's response to their complaints in a letter constituted carrying out a judicial function — Whether contents of letter should be protected by common law absolute privilege.

Defamation — Defences — Letter of complaint about Chief Executive of a polytechnic sent to polytechnic council by two related unions representing tertiary education staff — Whether letter written by a party or representative in a “proceedings” before tribunal or authority that has a duty to act judicially — Whether counsel at tribunal or authority that has a duty to act judicially — Defamation Act 1992, s 14(1)(b).