New Zealand Case Law: Decisions & Judgments | LexChat

Topic

Punitive/exemplary damages

Legal area

Court

16 Nov 2021

CRAIG v MACGREGOR [2021] NZHC 3082

Citation

[2021] NZHC 3082
Court

High Court

The Court awarded compensatory and aggravated damages of NZD 400,000 to Rachel MacGregor for defamatory publications by Colin Craig, declined to award punitive damages, held that the prior HRRT award did not negate a separate defamation award, applied Defamation Act s 24 and High Court Rules r 14.16 in apportioning costs and disbursements, and fixed net costs in favour of MacGregor of NZD 40,213 plus NZD 955.76 disbursements after set-offs.
23 Dec 2008

KORDA MENTHA AND ANOR V SIEMER AND ORS HC AK CIV 2005-404-001808

Citation

openlaw-bf1b4790_3aa3_4a85_adc6_3f65d1feec51.pdf
Court

High Court

Court found the words complained of were defamatory, attributable to the first defendant, and published widely and repeatedly in defiance of court orders; the defendant's conduct was exceptional and aggravated by contempt; awarded the second plaintiff NZD 825,000 (NZD 650,000 general, NZD 150,000 aggravated, NZD 25,000 exemplary), the first plaintiff NZD 75,000 (defamation) and NZD 20,000 for breach of the settlement agreement; granted a permanent injunction restraining further publications and reserved costs.