{
"$type": "site.standard.document",
"bskyPostRef": {
"cid": "bafyreihz6vj47qmag6xhowk5ws3eue7b6osem5ic74ahoyrm573okoab4m",
"uri": "at://did:plc:sl2hrcwo6voaorzsr26d3bo2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh4tlln7i4p2"
},
"coverImage": {
"$type": "blob",
"ref": {
"$link": "bafkreigtu4teufpt4gc6hsz425nzdehlfqv3l7m4rfuiq3lijdvoolqabu"
},
"mimeType": "image/png",
"size": 1975915
},
"description": "10 News Stories They Chose Not to Tell You",
"path": "/your-daily-ten-10-2026-045/",
"publishedAt": "2026-03-15T21:00:06.000Z",
"site": "https://goodoil.news",
"tags": [
"Read More",
"Subscribe now"
],
"textContent": "**This is edition 2026/045 of the _Ten@10_ newsletter.**\n\nHi all,\n\nThis is the Ten@10, where I collate and summarise ten news items you generally won't see in the mainstream media.\n\nEnjoy!\n\n* * *\n\n## 1. Paul Eagle and the Chatham Islands integrity collapse\n\nBryce Edwards\n\n * 🕵️ **Auditor-General’s damning report:** An inquiry into the Chatham Islands Council found serious misconduct by former Labour MP Paul Eagle, revealing behaviour that goes far beyond poor judgement.\n * 🏠 **Lavish renovation scandal:** Eagle oversaw a council-funded renovation of the house he lived in, increasing the budget from $200,000 to $460,000 and personally directing contractors despite being the tenant and beneficiary.\n * 💰 **Extravagant spending decisions:** The project included luxury upgrades such as replacing approved appliances with premium Miele products costing over $18,000, ordered before the council had approved the revised budget.\n * 📉 **Misuse of scarce public funds:** The small island council, serving only about 650 residents and heavily reliant on Crown funding, was already financially fragile while Eagle treated the renovation like a personal project.\n * 📄 **Fabricated documents uncovered:** When auditors investigated, Eagle created or altered contracts, copied a builder’s signature without permission, and backdated procurement documents to make them appear legitimate.\n * 😬 **Changing explanations:** Eagle initially denied wrongdoing but later admitted he “panicked” and attempted to fix missing documentation—effectively acknowledging he fabricated records during an official inquiry.\n * ⚖️ **Possible criminal implications:** The report avoided ruling on legality but signalled the seriousness of the conduct, raising questions about potential offences such as fraud, forgery, and deception under the Crimes Act 1961.\n * 🤝 **Conflicts of interest:** Eagle hired a consultancy firm he already knew, which was eventually paid about $350,000, and arranged for his wife Miriam to be subcontracted for a major strategy project without clear disclosure.\n * ☣️ **Toxic workplace claims:** Staff reported a culture of blame and intimidation within the council, with concerns about spending dismissed by senior leadership until a protected disclosure triggered the investigation.\n * 🧑💼 **Experienced political operator:** Eagle was not an inexperienced bureaucrat—he previously served as a Labour MP and deputy mayor in Wellington—making claims of confusion about governance rules difficult to accept.\n * 👮 **Calls for police investigation:** Critics argue the police or the Serious Fraud Office should investigate the document fabrication and misleading of investigators to determine if criminal charges are warranted.\n * 🔴 **Pressure on the Labour Party:** Despite Eagle’s long association with the New Zealand Labour Party, the party has remained largely silent, prompting calls for it to address whether he remains a member and condemn his actions.\n * 🌏 **Impact on the community:** The scandal has damaged trust and wasted resources in a small, vulnerable community on the Chatham Islands that can least afford financial mismanagement.\n * ❗ **Resignation not enough:** Critics argue Eagle’s resignation and apology are insufficient and that meaningful accountability—from law enforcement, political parties, and government—must follow.\n\n\n\nRead More\n\n### This post is for subscribers only\n\nBecome a member to get access to all content\n\nSubscribe now",
"title": "Your Daily Ten@10 - 2026/045",
"updatedAt": "2026-03-15T21:00:05.858Z"
}