Defamation of Simon Stotts reputation

Issued by: Simon Stott (S-T-O-T-T)
Director and Founder, Seacures Limited

1. Standing and Capacity
I, Simon Stott, am the Director and Founder of Seacures Limited and the individual directly identified and affected by the public article published on 6 September 2023 titled “Lead, mercury fears fuel seaweed tonic warning”. This request is made in my personal and professional capacity as the affected party.

2. Triggering Event
On 6 September 2023, One News published the above article relying on information supplied by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). The article asserted product risk, alleged sales and distribution, and implied unlawful conduct, resulting in immediate reputational and financial harm.

3. Statutory Basis
This request is made pursuant to sections 12, 13, 22, and 23 of the Official Information Act 1982, the Public Records Act 2005, and principles of natural justice.

4. Proof of Claim – Information Required (Certified True Copies)
Please provide certified true copies of all documents relied upon by MPI to justify statements made publicly, including:
• all media briefings, emails, memoranda, and communications supplied to One News or TVNZ;
• all photographs or images relied upon, including metadata and chain-of-custody records;
• all laboratory reports, scientific analyses, or risk assessments relied upon at the time of publication;
• all documents evidencing alleged sale or distribution of Seacures products;
• all search warrants, applications, affidavits, and judicial authorisations;
• all records evidencing police involvement or authority;
• all internal decision-making records approving public warnings or media engagement.

5. Certification Requirement
Summaries or paraphrases are not accepted. Documents must be provided as certified true copies.

6. Adverse Inference Notice
If any requested record does not exist, please state this explicitly. Absence of records will be relied upon as adverse inference.

7. Urgency
This request concerns serious reputational and commercial harm and should be treated as urgent.

Simon