Nick Hanne: Free Speech Union spokesperson explains why Tonkin + Taylor shouldn't take drastic action against Winston Peters heckler

Nick Hanne: Free Speech Union spokesperson explains why Tonkin + Taylor shouldn't take drastic action against Winston Peters heckler

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive · 2025-05-21

Free speech advocates says Tonkin + Taylor doesn't need to apologise for an employee allegedly heckling the Deputy Prime Minister. 

A man appearing to be wearing a company lanyard yelled and swore at Winston Peters after an announcement on rail funding at Wellington's train station.

The engineering firm has since apologised and says it'll investigate.

The Free Speech Union's Nick Hanne says there's a line between work and personal expression. 

"This is an issue that isn't actually directly related to the work that their employee does - and of course to what they do as a company - so it just seems like complete over-reach."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

  • No. of episodes: 9,479
  • Latest episode: 2025-05-27
  • News

Where can you listen?

Apple Podcasts Logo Spotify Logo Podtail Logo Google Podcasts Logo RSS

Episodes