Cameron Slater

{{Conservatism New Zealand}}

From 2005 to 2019, Slater ran the blog Whale Oil Beef Hooked,{{Cite web |url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/45268865 |title=Whale Oil Beef Hooked (Blog) |website=natlib.govt.nz |access-date=25 August 2023 |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901022725/https://natlib.govt.nz/records/45268865 |url-status=live }} commonly known simply as WhaleOil.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-13 |title=Whaleoil blogger Cameron Slater: 'I wrote for politics, not for cash' |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/whaleoil-blogger-cameron-slater-i-wrote-for-my-political-beliefs-not-for-cash/3LRW6J76W22VTDY3AUAGSDORPQ/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |last=Johnston |first=Kirsty |work=New Zealand Herald |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901022727/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/whaleoil-blogger-cameron-slater-i-wrote-for-my-political-beliefs-not-for-cash/3LRW6J76W22VTDY3AUAGSDORPQ/ |url-status=live }} WhaleOil has been described by The Spinoff as "the most notorious publication of the digital media era in New Zealand".{{Cite web |last=Braae |first=Alex |date=2019-08-01 |title=RIP Whaleoil.net.nz (2005-2019): the blog that turned NZ politics feral |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/media/01-08-2019/rip-whaleoil-net-nz-2005-2019 |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=The Spinoff |language=en |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901022729/https://thespinoff.co.nz/media/01-08-2019/rip-whaleoil-net-nz-2005-2019 |url-status=live }} Whale Oil Beef Hooked (Blog) was sold to Matthew Blomfield after the company Social Media Consultants went into liquidation and Cameron Slater went Bankrupt {{cite web |last=Fisher |first=David |date=8 Aug 2019 |work=New Zealand Herald |title=Meet the new Whaleoil blogger - Matt Blomfield buys the website which defamed him |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/meet-the-new-whaleoil-blogger-matt-blomfield-buys-the-website-which-defamed-him/YT5RDIRZHVAFMOKZKUMPXJCO7U/ |access-date=8 April 2024 |archive-date=8 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408003524/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/meet-the-new-whaleoil-blogger-matt-blomfield-buys-the-website-which-defamed-him/YT5RDIRZHVAFMOKZKUMPXJCO7U/ |url-status=live }} Cameron Slater ordered to pay $475,000 to Matthew Blomfield for defamation, judge finds he facilitated ‘vendetta’ {{cite web |last=Block |first=George |date=20 Feb 2024 |work=New Zealand Herald |title=Cameron Slater ordered to pay $475,000 to Matthew Blomfield for defamation, judge finds he facilitated ‘vendetta’ |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/cameron-slater-ordered-to-pay-475000-to-matthew-bloomfield-for-defamation-judge-finds-he-facilitated-vendetta/6B5CQHQU4JBGNKM6GL4HNBLTII/ |access-date=8 April 2024 |archive-date=8 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408003525/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/cameron-slater-ordered-to-pay-475000-to-matthew-bloomfield-for-defamation-judge-finds-he-facilitated-vendetta/6B5CQHQU4JBGNKM6GL4HNBLTII/ |url-status=live }}

On 23 December 2009, Slater was charged with five counts of breaching name suppression orders. The charges related to two blog posts that contained pictures which revealed the identities of a prominent New Zealand entertainer and a former New Zealand Olympian who were each charged with sexual offences.{{cite news|agency=NZPA|date=26 December 2009 |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10617454 |work=The New Zealand Herald |title=Blogger to defend suppression breach charges}}

On 11 January 2010, Slater published a blog post that used binary and hexadecimal code to allege the identity of a former Member of Parliament charged with indecent assault on a 13-year-old girl. The Nelson Bays police announced that they would investigate this further breach of New Zealand's name suppression laws.{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10619680 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=12 January 2010 |title=Blogger in trouble again for naming ex-MP in teen sex case |first=Christopher |last=Adams |access-date=9 February 2010 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022142240/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10619680 |url-status=live }}

He pleaded not guilty to the five name suppression charges on 9 February 2010, and the same day revealed the identity of a prominent Palmerston North resident whose name was suppressed after being found guilty of possessing thousands of pornographic images of children.{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10625069 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=9 February 2010 |title=Blogger in suppression case outs child porn offender |access-date=9 February 2010 |archive-date=2 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402161521/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10625069 |url-status=live }} In August 2010 he went on trial, now facing ten charges of breaching suppression orders.{{cite news |agency=NZPA |title=Blogger on trial for breaching suppressions |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10668751 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=25 August 2010 |access-date=23 January 2018 |archive-date=22 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122235119/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10668751 |url-status=live }} In September he was convicted of nine of the charges, eight of breaching suppression orders for offenders and one of naming a victim in a sexual abuse case. He was fined $750 and ordered to pay court costs of $130 for each of the nine cases.{{cite news |agency=NZPA |title=Whale Oil may appeal convictions |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10673417 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=14 September 2010 |access-date=23 January 2018 |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901022744/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/iwhale-oili-may-appeal-convictions/FPRDE2GNLSZ27IH5MAUIAXGDLM/?c_id=1&objectid=10673417 |url-status=live }}

In May 2010, Slater published the name of a public servant who had permanent name suppression, after a Wellington District Court jury found him not guilty of assaulting his teenage son. The matter reignited the national debate over the internet and name suppression and the public servant's lawyer Mike Antunovic publicly labelled Slater a "renegade."{{cite web |work=Stuff |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/3736270/Blogger-breaks-suppression-order-again |title=Blogger breaks suppression order – again |date=25 May 2010 |access-date=22 September 2011 |archive-date=6 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806183357/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/3736270/Blogger-breaks-suppression-order-again |url-status=live }}

On 27 January 2014, Slater published a brief post with the headline, "Feral dies in Greymouth, did world a favour". At the time of the headline, all that the media had reported was that one person had been killed when a car crashed at high speed into the bedroom of a house in Greymouth after ignoring Police. The article Slater wrote was about how the media had handled the coverage and had blamed the Police. The identity of the dead man was not known at that time.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9673668/Bloggers-harsh-words-rile-grieving-parents|title=Blogger's harsh words rile grieving parents|last=Mussen|first=Deidre|date=1 February 2014|work=Stuff |access-date=3 February 2014|archive-date=1 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901022733/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9673668/Bloggers-harsh-words-rile-grieving-parents|url-status=live}}

The post led to objections from the general public and suspected hacking attempts on his blog site.{{cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Cameron-Slater-victim-of-cyber-bullying/tabid/423/articleID/330141/Default.aspx|title=Cameron Slater victim of 'cyber bullying'|publisher=3 News NZ|date=29 January 2014|access-date=29 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201191756/http://www.3news.co.nz/Cameron-Slater-victim-of-cyber-bullying/tabid/423/articleID/330141/Default.aspx|archive-date=1 February 2014|url-status=dead}} Some people called on Slater for an apology to the young man's family at least.{{cite web|url=http://thestandard.org.nz/cameron-just-say-sorry/|title=Cameron just say sorry|date=January 2014|access-date=30 January 2014|archive-date=31 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131054933/http://thestandard.org.nz/cameron-just-say-sorry/|url-status=live}} Slater moved his family in response to the threats, but refused to apologise.{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11193600 |title=Blogger moves family after death threats |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=29 January 2014 |access-date=30 January 2014 |author=Backhouse, Matthew |archive-date=29 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129091543/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11193600 |url-status=live }} In lieu of an apology, Slater offered the following: "[W]here is it written in the rule books that you have to take into account people’s feelings?”{{cite news |url=http://www.greystar.co.nz/content/blogger-puts-boot-0|title=Blogger puts the boot in|work=Greymouth Star |first=Tui|last=Bromley|access-date=13 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227051109/http://www.greystar.co.nz/content/blogger-puts-boot-0|archive-date=27 December 2014|url-status=dead}}

In February 2014, Prime Minister John Key said in the media that Winston Peters had visited the Kim Dotcom mansion three times. This information turned out to be correct, and Peters publicly challenged Key to release the source of the information, suggesting that the Prime Minister had used spying agencies to track his movements. Key denied that spy agencies had been involved, and hinted that the source of the information was Cameron Slater. Key said that while he did not agree with everything Slater posted, he talked to the blogger "every so often" and had talked to him about Kim Dotcom and other things that week.{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11202362 |title=PM hints tip-off came from Cameron Slater |work=New Zealand Herald |access-date=30 April 2014 |last=Trevett |first=Claire |date=13 Feb 2014 |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901022747/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/pm-hints-tip-off-came-from-cameron-slater/6TQYZ2ESWCMRHJDYUY7TZC2PFU/?c_id=1&objectid=11202362 |url-status=live }}

Matt Blomfield, a Hell's Pizza chain franchisee, made a criminal complaint against Cameron Slater.{{cite web |last=Fisher |first=David |title=Police review complaint against Whaleoil blogger |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=9 October 2014 |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11339946 |access-date=9 October 2014 |archive-date=14 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014160454/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11339946 |url-status=live }} Blomfield also took a defamation case against Slater for comments Slater made about him on his blog.{{cite news |last=Fisher |first=David |date=12 May 2012 |title=Hell Pizza boss calls in police over email |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10805338 |work=New Zealand Herald |access-date=9 October 2014 |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901022742/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/hell-pizza-boss-calls-in-police-over-email/LLCT3GRNXTZ4NSVIDPTAOWNLCQ/?c_id=1&objectid=10805338 |url-status=live }} Slater was found in contempt of court in September 2015 and fined $1500 by Justice Raynor Asher.{{cite news |last=Fisher |first=David |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11515312 |title=Whale Oil blogger's contempt |date=18 September 2015 |work=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=1 October 2015 |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901023236/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/whale-oil-bloggers-contempt/RV6T2IJJ3TLJ4DGFVC227MUO5U/?c_id=1&objectid=11515312 |url-status=live }}

Cameron Slater on 25 February 2019 announced via his blog he would be declaring bankruptcy due to the defamation claims against him that he has lost.{{cite news |last1=Fisher |first1=David |title=Cameron Slater's stroke - what defamation victim Matt Blomfield says the evidence shows about the blogger's health |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/cameron-slaters-stroke-what-defamation-victim-matt-blomfield-says-the-evidence-shows-about-the-bloggers-health/KTXRIEJ3HO3KTC4DMGCUXRJUDU/?c_id=1&objectid=12207479 |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=26 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624121047/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/cameron-slaters-stroke-what-defamation-victim-matt-blomfield-says-the-evidence-shows-about-the-bloggers-health/KTXRIEJ3HO3KTC4DMGCUXRJUDU/?c_id=1&objectid=12207479 |archive-date=24 June 2024|url-status=live}}

On 12 March 2019, the Director of Human Rights Proceedings ordered an award of $70,000 against Cameron Slater as well as a declaration of interference with privacy, a takedown order and restraining order.{{cite web |title=The Director of Human Rights Proceedings versus Cameron John Slater |url=https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Decisions/2019-nzhrrt-13-director-of-human-rights-proceedings-v-slater.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Justice |access-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613223234/https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Decisions/2019-nzhrrt-13-director-of-human-rights-proceedings-v-slater.pdf |archive-date=13 June 2023 |date=12 March 2019 |url-status=live}}

On 21 February 2024, Slater and his defunct company Social Media Consultants Ltd were ordered to pay NZ$475,000 in damages to Blomfield. Justice David Johnstone found that Slater had facilitated a personal vendetta against Blomfield by using stolen documents to produce defamatory blog posts.{{cite news |last1=Block |first1=George |title=Cameron Slater ordered to pay $475,000 to Matthew Blomfield for defamation, judge finds he facilitated ‘vendetta’ |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/cameron-slater-ordered-to-pay-475000-to-matthew-bloomfield-for-defamation-judge-finds-he-facilitated-vendetta/6B5CQHQU4JBGNKM6GL4HNBLTII/ |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=21 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425011452/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/cameron-slater-ordered-to-pay-475000-to-matthew-bloomfield-for-defamation-judge-finds-he-facilitated-vendetta/6B5CQHQU4JBGNKM6GL4HNBLTII/ |archive-date=25 April 2024|url-status=live}}

{{main|Dirty Politics}}

The book Dirty Politics, written by Nicky Hager and based on correspondence hacked from Cameron Slater's computer, was published in August 2014. Two months later, the police raided Hager's house, seizing computers and other equipment looking for information to assist them find out who hacked the emails from Slater's computer.{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/dirty-politics-police-raid-puts-hagers-on-edge/SPTSD2TXKNMS2ZH3HBBKCGLN7Q/ |title=Dirty Politics: Police raid puts Hagers on edge |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=6 October 2014 |access-date=31 August 2024}}

The book discussed Slater's close friendship with Judith Collins, a senior Cabinet Minister in the National Party government led by Prime Minister John Key. Amongst other discussions of New Zealand politics, Hager wrote that Slater had found a database of Labour Party information on a public Labour Party website, and that with the help of Jason Ede – one of Key's press secretaries – Slater used the information to attack the Labour Party during the 2011 election campaign.{{cite web |last1=Craig Potton Publishing |title=Dirty Politics: Nicky Hager's new book on the Key Government launched at Unity |url=http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=69809 |publisher=Scoop |access-date=2014-08-13 |archive-date=14 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814205131/http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=69809 |url-status=live }} On 30 August 2014, Collins resigned as a minister in the wake of an email suggesting that she had sought to undermine former Serious Fraud Office (SFO) Chief Executive Adam Feeley in league with Slater.{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10443712/SSC-concerned-at-Collins-allegations |title=Collins sacking a good start, hacker |work=Stuff |access-date=2014-08-31 |last=Smith |first=Lawrence |date=August 30, 2014 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903103057/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10443712/SSC-concerned-at-Collins-allegations |url-status=live }}

In June 2015, Cameron Slater published a love poem by the Conservative Party leader Colin Craig entitled "Two of Me" on his blog Whale Oil.{{cite web|last1=Slater|first1=Cameron|title=Exclusive: The poem Colin Craig doesn't want you to see|website=Whale oil |url=http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2015/06/exclusive-the-poem-colin-craig-doesnt-want-you-to-see/|access-date=19 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619112847/http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2015/06/exclusive-the-poem-colin-craig-doesnt-want-you-to-see/ |archive-date=19 June 2015|url-status=dead}} This poem was linked to sexual harassment allegations involving Craig and the Conservative Party's former press secretary Rachel MacGregor. Due to the negative publicity and internal tensions within the Conservatives, Craig resigned as Party leader on 19 June 2015.{{cite news|last1=Kirk|first1=Stacey|title=Conservative faction to block Colin Craig's return as leader|work=Stuff |date=19 June 2015|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/69559312/conservative-faction-to-block-colin-craigs-return-as-leader|access-date=19 June 2015|archive-date=1 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901023244/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/69559312/conservative-faction-to-block-colin-craigs-return-as-leader|url-status=live}} Craig's resignation preceded an internal rift within the Conservatives between supporters and opponents of the former leader; which led to the aggrieved parties taking each other to court.{{cite news |last=Theunissen |first=Matthew |title=Colin Craig's membership suspended |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11472161 |access-date=27 June 2015 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=27 June 2015 |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901023309/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/colin-craigs-membership-suspended/XASDHFYR3PW6S5NT3KF2ZORU3M/?c_id=1&objectid=11472161 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11476110 |access-date=2015-07-06 |title=Conservative Party battle draws to a close |date=July 5, 2015 |work=The New Zealand Herald |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901023254/https://widgets.outbrain.com/nanoWidget/externals/topics/topics.html?r=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nzherald.co.nz |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last1=Kirk|first1=Stacey|title=Colin Craig asks forgiveness and puts his political future to a ballot|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/70035019/colin-craig-asks-forgiveness-and-puts-his-political-future-to-a-ballot|access-date=10 July 2015|work=Stuff |date=7 July 1025|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924154028/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/70035019/colin-craig-asks-forgiveness-and-puts-his-political-future-to-a-ballot|url-status=live}}

In response to Slater's actions, Craig filed a defamation suit against Slater and two other opponents, New Zealand Taxpayers' Union chairman Jordan Williams and former Conservative party board member John Stringer for NZ$650,000, NZ$300,000 and NZ$350,000 respectively.{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Corazon|last2=Davison|first2=Isaac|title=Colin Craig sues 'dirty politics brigade'|url=http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11488774|access-date=11 August 2015|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=29 July 2015|archive-date=25 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925184222/http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11488774|url-status=live}} In addition, Craig also circulated a booklet, entitled "Dirty Politics and Hidden Agendas", which attacked Slater, Williams and Stringer and labelled them as part of the "Dirty Politics Brigade"; a reference to Nicky Hager's Dirty Politics book.{{cite web |type=booklet|date=2015|title=Dirty Politics and Hidden Agendas |author=((Colin and Helen Craig)) |url=http://votecolincraig.co.nz/documents/Dirty%20Politics.pdf |access-date=2015-08-11 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925161400/http://votecolincraig.co.nz/documents/Dirty%20Politics.pdf |archive-date=25 September 2015}} Slater responded by slamming the mass circulation of the "Dirty Politics" booklet as a violating of postal rules around unsolicited mail.{{cite web|last1=Slater|first1=Cameron |title=Confused why Colin Craig's Dirty Politics booklet made it past your "no circulars" sign?|website=Whale oil|date=5 August 2015 |url=http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2015/08/confused-why-colin-craigs-dirty-politics-booklet-made-it-past-your-no-circulars-sign/ |access-date=11 April 2016|archive-date=10 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410075531/http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2015/08/confused-why-colin-craigs-dirty-politics-booklet-made-it-past-your-no-circulars-sign/|url-status=dead}}

On 24 November 2015, Colin Craig issued an email ultimatum to Slater; claiming copyright ownership over the poem "Two of Me" and demanding that the latter issue a retraction, written apology, and pay NZ$3,000 per month for displaying the poem on Whale Oil. The invoice amounted to a total of NZ$15,000. Slater responded by rejecting Craig's ultimatum and indicating that he was prepared to clash with Craig in court.{{cite news|last1=Yeoman|first1=Scott|title=Colin Craig claims ownership of poem allegedly written for former press secretary|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11550651|access-date=11 April 2016|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=24 November 2015|archive-date=28 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428020226/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11550651|url-status=live}} On 3 April 2016, Craig tabled legal papers seeking more than NZ$13,000 in damages from Slater for publishing the poem on his blog.{{cite news |title=Poet, songwriter, and politician: Colin Craig sues Slater for publishing his poem |work=Stuff |date=3 April 2016 |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/78466989/poet-songwriter-and-politician-colin-craig-sues-slater-for-publishing-his-poem |access-date=11 April 2016 |archive-date=22 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122015903/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/78466989/poet-songwriter-and-politician-colin-craig-sues-slater-for-publishing-his-poem |url-status=live }}

In early May 2017, Slater counter-sued Craig, seeking more than NZ$16 million in damages. That same month, the Auckland High Court heard Craig's lawsuit against Slater.{{cite news|title=Blogger to sue Craig for $16m|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/blogger-sue-craig-16m|access-date=25 October 2018|agency=NZME|work=Otago Daily Times|date=8 May 2017|archive-date=26 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064606/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/blogger-sue-craig-16m|url-status=live}} The judge reserved his decision on 1 June 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/93193627/closing-submissions-heard-in-colin-craig-defamation-trial |last=Christian |first=Harrison |date=May 30, 2017 |title=Closing submissions heard in Colin Craig defamation trial |website=Stuff |access-date=2 June 2017 |archive-date=9 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809061158/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/93193627/closing-submissions-heard-in-colin-craig-defamation-trial |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Braunias |first1=Steve |date=3 June 2017 |title=Craig v Slater: The end of the affair |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11868133 |access-date=25 October 2018 |work=The New Zealand Herald |archive-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064428/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11868133 |url-status=live }} On 25 October 2018, Justice Kit Toogood ruled that Slater had defamed Craig by making untrue statements about him. However, he declined to award damages to Craig, stating that any reputational damage that Craig had suffered was the result of his own actions.{{cite news |last1=Satherley |first1=Dan |date=25 October 2018 |title=Colin Craig 'guilty of moderately serious sexual harassment' against Rachel MacGregor, judge rules |work=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/10/colin-craig-guilty-of-moderately-serious-sexual-harassment-against-rachel-macgregor-judge-rules.html |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901023240/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/10/colin-craig-guilty-of-moderately-serious-sexual-harassment-against-rachel-macgregor-judge-rules.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last1=Hurley |first1=Sam |title=Judge rules Cameron Slater defamed Colin Craig who sexually harassed Rachel MacGregor |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12148439 |access-date=26 October 2018 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=25 October 2018 |archive-date=25 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025120306/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12148439 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Livingston |first1=Tommy |title=Colin Craig defamed by Cameron Slater, but also found 'guilty' of sexual harassment |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/108071391/colin-craig-defamed-by-cameron-slater-but-also-found-guilty-of-sexual-harassment |access-date=26 October 2018 |work=Stuff |date=25 October 2018 |archive-date=25 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025031248/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/108071391/colin-craig-defamed-by-cameron-slater-but-also-found-guilty-of-sexual-harassment |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Robson |first1=Sarah |title=Judge rules Colin Craig was defamed by Slater |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/369418/judge-rules-colin-craig-was-defamed-by-cameron-slater |access-date=26 October 2018 |publisher=Radio New Zealand |date=25 October 2018 |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901023241/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/369418/judge-rules-colin-craig-was-defamed-by-cameron-slater |url-status=live }}

• NetGuide Best Blog Award 2013{{cite web |title=NetGuide Awards 2013 |url=http://techday.com/netguide/news/2013-eset-netguide-web-awards-full-results/179457/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512215102/http://techday.com/netguide/news/2013-eset-netguide-web-awards-full-results/179457/ |archive-date=12 May 2014 |access-date=11 May 2014}}
• Canon Media Awards Blog of the Year 2014{{cite web |title=Canon media awards 2014 |url=http://www.canonmediaawards.co.nz/#home |access-date=11 May 2014 |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901023225/https://gifterman.co.nz/#home |url-status=live }}
• NetGuide Best Blog Award 2014{{cite web |title=2014 ESET NetGuide Web Awards Full Results |url=http://techday.com/netguide/news/2014-eset-netguide-web-awards-full-results/198598/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141203020642/http://techday.com/netguide/news/2014-eset-netguide-web-awards-full-results/198598/ |archive-date=2014-12-03}}

At the end of October 2012, Slater was announced as the editor for tabloid newspaper the New Zealand Truth. He said in his new role he would be "kicking arse and sticking up for the little guy". His first issue was published in November 2012. The Truth ceased production less than a year later, in July 2013.{{cite news |date=17 June 2013 |title=NZ Truth to cease publishing after 125 years - reports |work=New Zealand Herald |agency=APNZ |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10891150 |access-date=23 August 2014 |archive-date=17 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217221730/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10891150 |url-status=live }}

Following the closure of WhaleOil in 2019, Slater launched the BFD, a new blog publishing similar content to WhaleOil. In July 2024, the BFD was revamped as The Good Oil.

In early September 2021, Slater published a video and article on his blog BFD showing microbiologist and science communicator Siouxsie Wiles allegedly flouting COVID-19 lockdown restrictions by socialising with a friend in an Auckland beach during the Delta variant community outbreak. The story and video was circulated among other right-wing New Zealand blogs. In response, Wiles clarified that her visit was within the rules, as her friend was part of the same bubble as her and the pair had cycled 5 km from her house to the beach. However Wiles did acknowledge that her friend had broken the "do not go swimming" rule and that she should have stopped her. She also accused Slater of spreading disinformation in order to discredit her due to her role in advising the Government's COVID-19 response.{{cite news |last1=Small |first1=Zane |title=Ashley Bloomfield defends Siouxsie Wiles' maskless beach visit as Judith Collins labels her 'hypocrite' |work=Newshub |date=10 September 2021 |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/09/ashley-bloomfield-defends-siouxsie-wiles-maskless-beach-visit-as-judith-collins-labels-her-hypocrite.html |access-date=10 September 2021 |archive-date=8 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008203800/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/09/ashley-bloomfield-defends-siouxsie-wiles-maskless-beach-visit-as-judith-collins-labels-her-hypocrite.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last1=Neilson |first1=Michael |title=Covid 19 coronavirus Delta outbreak: Dr Siouxsie Wiles hits back at accusations she broke lockdown rules |date=10 September 2021 |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-delta-outbreak-dr-siouxsie-wiles-hits-back-at-accusations-she-broke-lockdown-rules/2T7OGKYA3X3IPTRZX45DVJTWQU/ |access-date=10 September 2021 |work=The New Zealand Herald|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910124827/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-delta-outbreak-dr-siouxsie-wiles-hits-back-at-accusations-she-broke-lockdown-rules/2T7OGKYA3X3IPTRZX45DVJTWQU/|archive-date=10 September 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Franks |first1=Josephine |title=Covid-19: Dr Siouxsie Wiles warns of 'disinformation' after claims she was caught breaking lockdown rules |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/126351648/covid19-dr-siouxsie-wiles-warns-of-disinformation-after-claims-she-was-caught-breaking-lockdown-rules |access-date=10 September 2021 |work=Stuff |date=10 September 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910125208/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/126351648/covid19-dr-siouxsie-wiles-warns-of-disinformation-after-claims-she-was-caught-breaking-lockdown-rules|archive-date=10 September 2021}}

By 2024 Slater had become a host on the contrarian internet radio station Reality Check Radio, which was launched by anti-vaccination group Voices for Freedom in 2023. He also interviewed New Zealand First leader and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. In mid-April 2024, Slater and fellow host Paul Brennan also analysed a cabinet reshuffle within the Sixth National Government.{{cite news |last1=MacAnus |first1=Joel |title=Reality Check Radio is still ‘off-air’. But was it ever really at risk? |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/media/30-04-2024/reality-check-radio-is-still-off-air-but-was-it-ever-really-at-risk?utm_source=spinoff-share-button&utm_medium=email |access-date=30 April 2024 |work=The Spinoff |date=30 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430104906/https://thespinoff.co.nz/media/30-04-2024/reality-check-radio-is-still-off-air-but-was-it-ever-really-at-risk|archive-date=30 April 2024|url-status=live}}

On the weekend of 29–30 May 2010, Slater and his wife sold their home after their income insurance provider, Fidelity Insurance, stopped payments for depression. His wife said that Slater has been living with clinical depression following the failure of a business he part-owned,{{cite web |author=Tim Hume |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2998740/Blogger-takes-on-insurance-firm |title=Blogger takes on insurance firm |work=Stuff |date=25 October 2009 |access-date=3 January 2014 |archive-date=3 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103120829/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2998740/Blogger-takes-on-insurance-firm |url-status=live }} and has "...no thought of the consequences for himself or others or indeed his family".{{cite news |first=David |last=Fisher |title='Hurtful' blogger loses house |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=29 May 2010 |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10648347 |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=12 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012131432/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10648347 |url-status=live }}

Slater attends meetings at a Seventh-day Adventist Church.{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10669406|title=Michele Hewitson Interview: Cameron Slater|work=The New Zealand Herald|author=Michele Hewitson|date=28 August 2010|access-date=23 January 2011|archive-date=15 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115190742/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10669406|url-status=live}} Despite a long history with the National Party, he claims not to be a member of any political party.{{Cite web |last=Slater |first=Cameron |date=March 7, 2016 |website=Whale Oil |title=Cam, Why are you backing Trump? |url=http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2016/03/cam-why-are-you-backing-trump/ |access-date=28 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408075857/http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2016/03/cam-why-are-you-backing-trump/|archive-date=8 April 2016}}

In October 2018, Slater suffered two strokes which left him partially paralysed on the right side of his body, and with speech and vision impairments.{{cite news |author=Pattrick Smellie |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12193706 |title=Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater laid low by serious stroke |date=21 January 2019 |work=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901023254/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/whale-oil-blogger-cameron-slater-laid-low-by-serious-stroke/M3CVEYPO7SR4OAEINVFUMYLGZA/?c_id=3&objectid=12193706 |url-status=live }}

In late March 2024, Slater was embroiled in an online argument with broadcaster and The Platform co-founder Sean Plunket. After the Lyttelton leg of the 2024 New Zealand Sail Grand Prix was postponed due to the sighting of a Hector's dolphin, Plunket said on The Platform that Hector's dolphins were "like the down syndrome kids of marine mammals. They're cross-bred and they deserve to die." Slater disagreed with Plunket, calling him a "pig" in a Tweet. Plunket responded with several Tweets saying that Slater's parents were first cousins and calling him "dolphin boy." Plunket subsequently apologised for his inflammatory language and for insulting people with down syndrome. In response, Slater questioned the sincerity of Plunket's apology and condemned his demonisation of Hector's dolphins and personal attacks against him.{{cite news |title=Sean Plunket, Cam Slater in nasty argument over Down syndrome dolphin comments |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2024/03/sean-plunket-cam-slater-in-nasty-argument-over-down-syndrome-dolphin-comments.html |access-date=4 April 2024 |work=Newshub |date=27 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404050515/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2024/03/sean-plunket-cam-slater-in-nasty-argument-over-down-syndrome-dolphin-comments.html|archive-date=4 April 2024|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last1=Donnell |first1=Hayden |title=Cranky claims drown out facts in SailGP dolphin drama |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018932066/cranky-claims-drown-out-facts-in-sailgp-dolphin-drama |access-date=4 April 2024 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=31 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402210448/https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018932066/cranky-claims-drown-out-facts-in-sailgp-dolphin-drama|archive-date=2 April 2024|url-status=live}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.whaleoil.co.nz Whale Oil Beef Hooked] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518130752/http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/ |date=18 May 2007 }}
• [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10669406 Cameron Slater interviewed by Michele Hewitson]
• [http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2014/05/cameron-slaters-canon-media-awards-2014-acceptance-speech-audio-whaleoil/ Cameron Slater and wife Juana Atkins accepting the 2014 Canon media award] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511014141/http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2014/05/cameron-slaters-canon-media-awards-2014-acceptance-speech-audio-whaleoil/ |date=11 May 2014 }}
• [https://thebfd.co.nz/ The BFD]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Slater, Cameron}}

Category:Living people

Category:Conservatism in New Zealand

Category:New Zealand male bloggers

Category:New Zealand editors

Category:New Zealand magazine editors

Category:New Zealand Seventh-day Adventists

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)