The Atlas Network: What is it? | Q+A 2024

[@reasonablearticalo]

We should constantly query this group's intercession into our politics. We are New Zealanders, not slaves to global politics.

[@steveharris5008]

what intercession? or are you talking about legacy media constantly presenting only one side of a story...?

[@chrismckellar9350]

The Atlas Network, formerly known as Atlas Economic Research Foundation, is a non-governmental organisation based in the United States that provides training, networking, and grants for libertarian, free-market, and conservative groups around the world. ACT party beliefs are based on The Atlas Network, formerly known as Atlas Economic Research Foundation. Two of ACT's founding members with Roger Douglas and Richard Prebble who was part of introducing 'for profit at least cost' neoliberal economics and governance in 1986, that has created by successive governments to economic, social, housing and infrastructural mess the country is currently in.

[@cherylreid2964]

​@@steveharris5008the media here helped elect this COAL-ition MINORITY Gubbament...

[@RichardLawNZ]

Well, that's true of any NGO, isn't it? Do you do the same for Greenpeace?

[@RedMoon-ne2hb]

They were behind Australia's referendum, also with their racial hate. If Atlas is so open, let left wing media attend some of their Junk Tank 'training' activities

[@truegod9654]

I was surprised to learn that the Atlas Network founded the Act Party. Can we assume that Atlas' ideology is a fundamental part of Act's policy initiatives? Is it merely a coincidence that Seymour's political career started with Atlas and that he has similar interests in real estate? I believe the situation is straightforward: Atlas, Act, and Seymour all benefit from getting that pesky Treaty out of the way to gain easier access to resource consents for housing development on any land, not just Māori land.

[@Deadnvrsleep]

What a stupid conspiracy 😂

[@eugenerewi9076]

Industrial school of take take take network for their business rich nasty fealthy dirty networks disposable nappies rash .Don brash the fealthy rash

[@steveharris5008]

@@eugenerewi9076 you don't make sense...

[@jemma_19988]

She is another conspiracy crackpot New Zealand is full of them

[@dualnon6643]

Atlas didn’t found the Act Party. Act was founded by Roger Douglas (Labour) and Derek Quigley (National). While Act DOES have ties to Atlas, it is not correct to say Atlas founded Act.

[@Sam-x9l7w]

Try investigating Castalia, Nicola Willis's favorite business for costing....

[@eugenerewi9076]

It's funny because David said he hadn't or no knowledge or had no idea who Atlas someone telling lies. Debbie admits she knew of David while his time in Canada 🇨🇦 and is one of David sponsors

[@petermccaffrey]

Do you have a source for him saying that? I remember saying he'd been attended events years ago but that's not the same as them controlling him now.

[@mznzjess]

He said it when Mihi Forbes interviewed him. He called her a conspiracy theorist. Use your eyes and do a google search.

[@jamesstonehouse3448]

At one time, the ACT Party website made reference to Atlas.

[@chriswhata]

Bullshit interview Fanny Owen did you do any independent research?

[@victoriakaha473]

​@@petermccaffrey Saw him denying any link in an interview Pretty Foolish to deny connection as conspiracy when video evidence is freely available if you care to look

[@krismacdonald7397]

Riiiiggghtt. Alan Gibbs' daughter. A man who got public assets at basement prices and flicked them off to make him super rich.

[@n4mbskull]

Shameful TVNZ. If i (a middle aged truck Driver) can spend 15 minutes googling Atlas to find tangible links that connect Atlas Network to pro-Brexit, first Trump campaign, Anti-The Voice and the ACT party and family members of National.... then what the fuck are you doing?

[@Dis-xxx]

Giving them a chance to speak for themselves. Oh that’s right, you don’t like to consider any information that doesn’t support your already made up mind.

[@questor55]

Those all sound like sensible popular positions. Where's the issue?

[@RichardCruice]

Thanks. I might look into joining. They appear to be the medicine our control focused politicians need

[@johnnygoggles6427]

Where do I sign up to the Atlas network if those are their positions?

[@richardjooste4636]

Loving the commens hahah 😂

[@MrUHTiger]

Check the Indigenous Australians and find out what there part was to destroy there rights.

[@urbanegorilla6005]

The Atlas Network is an influential group of salespersons whose worldwide mission is to sell as many books of maps as they can to as many people as possible. Scout's honour.🌍🌎🌏🌐🗺

[@toakasi6425]

I just told my mum the same thing lol their like a secret society agree to disagree it will bring out more conspiracy theorists freedom fighters and activism though they are targeting a specific group of young people here who are looking for financial enrichment. TPM Counter acts this argument with a new modern maori take on Te tiriti and Maori Crown negotiations which have been rather poor for alot of hapu and iwi who did not sign or agree with The Treaty. Nga mihi nui to those who opposed the bill leaders in coalition also.

[@hospitalcleaner]

#boomerhumor

[@ANGAPRODUCTIONS]

David is a atlas robot 🤖

[@daverooney6603]

The complete absence of referrence to the large tobacco cofporate funding of atlas was very telling. Why leave such a monumental facet of the group out ? Are we to believe its hidden on purpose ? Philip morris is a huge backer.

[@Flowers60-pl6jp]

@@daverooney6603 As are the Koch Bros and other billionaires and corporate interests.

[@JimmyJenks-u8v]

Wow, all giving and no taking! Atlas sound like they are just the best. Funny they support Act. It's funnier to think they want nothing in return.

[@Flowers60-pl6jp]

More research and a deeper probe into their “private” and “family foundation” donors, who are their “partners” and what their definition of private property rights” looks like in practice. A quick google search revealed more information. Among others they are funded by corporations, millionaire families and billionaires who have a massive investment in maintaining their financial position and power. Not much by everyday workers, families and citizens who are busy surviving in their world of “free markets”. They represent the investor class. Fact, inequality has grown massively around the world with the macro economic policies these think tanks espouse. How disingenuous to say that their donors have no expectations. This felt to me like quite a vanilla “puff” piece of journalism and more of a light PR damage control exercise for Atlas. It did demonstrate that David Seymour was not honest in his denial of any links to Atlas. I can see why he might avoid this connection when it is revealed whose interests are really represented.

[@geofflye4582]

Atlas are tied in with the 350plus conservative political action pac's in the USA.

[@geofflye4582]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Network

[@johnchipper9499]

Nowhere near deep enough. A once over lightly. Ajar was the Atlas involvement in turning over free elections in Argentina? How did they feel bout this? What is the atlas view on limited change? What is the influence of petro chemical industries involvement in donations? Did Atlas support Trump? Did they support Brexit?

[@staypositive6607]

It is fair to go to Atlas for their perspective but you will inevitably get spin form them. This story needed to talk to someone who is critical of Atlas with evidence/research of their own of the influence/agenda of Atlas. The focus here on Atlas needing to be 'shadowy' to be a pernicious influence is unhelpful, they can push a political agenda and undermine democracy and indigenous rights out in the open (as they do by funding and training staff for lobby groups in New Zealand).

[@steveharris5008]

already did with the debbie packer interview; she had no evidence to present, just conspiracy spins...

[@4th4444]

AGREED. This is propaganda.

[@RJH755]

Exactly, Atlas aren't honest actors

[@MysticalAlchemy33]

It's not like other groups don't do this, gotta have a counter balance

[@MysticalAlchemy33]

​@@RJH755more honest than blackrock

[@trh3010]

this segment was less "what is atlas?" and more "we give atlas an opportunity to clear their name with no push-back or opposing view". q and a should be better than this

[@Avigkit]

🎯 shocking 💩 from Tvnz

[@dan8317]

Hahahaha let's see Q&A take the same scrutiny to the WEF

[@AholeAtheist]

What scrutiny?

[@dualnon6643]

They didn’t scrutinise Atlas at all. They basically just let them give their spin with zero challenge.

[@mcgruff3309]

They are in bed together!

[@user-bw4jm1bv1i]

I'm not a bad guy, just ask me, I'll tell you I'm not 😆

[@annebayne-wr2qy]

Not a balanced coverage. You have to provide a source that has done extensive research into the influence of the Atlas such as Dr Jeremy Walker in Australia that certainly doesn’t support the positive spin that this article suggests

[@MysticalAlchemy33]

Appoint your own hater propagandist too lol

[@overover..]

Will someone look into the extensive influence of our left wing media?

[@tanepukenga1421]

@@MysticalAlchemy33 What are you talking about? You celebrate "opposing views" unless they're ones you don't want to hear?

[@LauraTeAhoWhite]

I'm sorry, but who donates to a 'charity' and doesn't expect some sort of action in return?

[@steveharris5008]

do you not give anything at all to various charities? what a mean-minded individual...

[@mrFizzboat]

Pretty much anyone who donates to any charities.

[@Sunistheheater]

Weird unthought thru comment.

[@rhysrautjoki7207]

Exactly. When I donate to save the children, I expect them to save children. When donors donate to a conservative think tank, those donors know that think tank will push the conservative agenda.

[@davemckagan635]

Do people donate to the SPCA because they "expect some sort of action in return", or because they like the work the SPCA does?

[@eastchchkea6475]

Well, this was one-sided, weak sauce. Where was the counter view?

[@steveharris5008]

te pati maori debbie has the answers...

[@DigitalProspectCult]

the counter view is in your echo chambers

[@mikelaw4865]

David was indeed part of the Atlas group many years ago in Canada. This proves he has held his particular political views for a long time. There is no proof he is still an active member of the group while being a member of parliament or that the group has any active influence on his current politics or policies. In contrast, it is also a proven fact that Jacinda was elected president of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) on 30.1.2008 (an organisation which originates from the ‘Young Communist International’ founded in 1907 with Lenin’s blessing) and not only that… but she became an MP mid way through her presidency of the IUSY and did not step down but continued in both roles for the next 15 months - a much clearer conflict of interest and danger of active influence from a foreign political entity. I don’t seem to remember much media outrage about that… Being a member of a group in the past and continuing to share the same ideology of that group in the present is proof of long-held political views, not proof of being under active influence from that group - that is pure assumption (conspiracy theory). Also, the fact that Atlas affiliated groups in NZ like the Free Speech Union SUPPORTED Maori in opposing the gang patch law on the grounds of freedom of expression proves that they simply help others advocate for policies that they believe in regardless of race just as the International Union of Socialist Youth and many other Union groups and left leaning groups also do…. The idea that Atlas is this global conspiracy to specifically target Maori and control NZ is hilarious and just shows how eager so many people are to latch on to any irrational conspiracy they think advances their cause.

[@NicBoydNZ]

Waaaaay to much logic there buddy

[@CITA7687]

Wheres the rest of the interview? That seemed to cut off really quickly.

[@Go_Home_British_Raj]

Whose Stolen Native Land in USA is Debbi putting on her shocked Atlas 'not dearest me' ACT on about? Atlas probably dumped chemicals on it #AtlasOUT

[@NR-xx7dn]

Gee the greatest " Fluff Piece " of the Year , well done Q@A , not !

[@Owesomasaurus]

"A rotary club for excited free marketeers" well yes and that's the problem. Free marketeer's policy proposals are bad for everyone who isn't a multi millionaire

[@JamesTimms-k2g]

Jack ask how the treaty effect these rich people

[@steveharris5008]

you're right packer and waititi are on huge salaries...

[@paorasimon4957]

​@@steveharris5008Well they are politicians and they get the same as each cabinet house member. Nothing to with Treaty and wage

[@LUAPIGNAR]

​@@steveharris5008you fail to mention all other politicians who have connections past/present with tobacco companies?

[@steveharris5008]

@@paorasimon4957 they are on far more money than you and me; first candidates for wealth tax...?

[@coriehamilton6624]

We're is the reporting. Interviewing Atlas with no research on negative concerns of other party is one sided

[@breninaotearoa4152]

Where is Jack’s in-depth research into Atlas and followup summation of this Atlas spokesperson’s statement. It is as though her shaky explanation is accepted.

[@reasonablearticalo]

Oh wow Atlas, you don't like to be called names? Then stop interfering in our politics and pushing us to the hard right.

[@ntskl]

They sound like pro-corporate libertarians rather than right wing.

[@drednorzt]

​@@ntskltheres a lot of overlap between the right & libertarians, chiefly deregulation.

[@shanematijevich3452]

Right is right

[@ISavant]

@@ntskl pro corporate libertarians ARE right wing.

[@overover..]

I'm happy for one group to push right when our entire media ecosystem in nz pushes left

[@Marzipan_Rocks]

She says the donors are 99% individuals but not the amount coming in. Like that 1% corporate could be millions or billions. Also done if the individuals could be incredibly wealthy families wanting to influence things. It sounded like half truths to me. Must be where Seymour gets it from.

[@josiecassidy9037]

Well that was a lot of bs talk!!

[@rjlchristie]

Koch Bros.endorse this message.

[@saregama-r8td]

Now it's up to Debbie Packer to counter this narrative. I did see Atlas Debbie's narrative challenged on an episode of BHN. I think Atlas Debbie may be in denial

[@LUAPIGNAR]

Debbie Ngarewa-Packer was on point.

[@saregama-r8td]

@@LUAPIGNAR She was on point. If you look at who funds right wing lobby groups TPM can't compare. Yet, ATLAS ACT have managed to conjure up normal peoples support using racist rhetoric. We are screwed but we only have ourselves to blame for not heeding the warning I suppose.

[@JamesTimms-k2g]

atlas lies like David lololol. promise you just said you can't explain for you partners.

[@KnellofPartingDay]

Name one.

[@JamesTimms-k2g]

@KnellofPartingDay ask her...that's what she sadi

[@bobtuiliga8691]

I think many people in NZ are unaware that there are hundreds of these lobby/think-tank/alliance organisations around the world of all political flavours including left-leaning and far-left ones like Progressive Alliance and Socialist International.

[@geofflye4582]

Yes there are 350 plus alone in the USA.

[@johnnyp3161]

Wait until they realise what the wef is doing to politicians and countries across the globe

[@Hup-cx5hp]

Atlas Networks WEF been had 😳

[@chrismckellar9350]

The Atlas Network, formerly known as Atlas Economic Research Foundation, is a non-governmental organisation based in the United States that provides training, networking, and grants for libertarian, free-market, and conservative groups around the world.

[@overover..]

Well that wasn't that hard was it

[@ANGAPRODUCTIONS]

That woman is lying 🤥 lol atlas is a front

[@maxxamiss5386]

Wasn't surprised with Q+A weak as usual Do your own research people. 10 minutes is all you will need

[@TeWakaOAoraki]

She's so full of shit people all over the world are critical of Atlas and their grubby Koch Brothers money it takes 30 seconds of Googling to understand that.

[@everardwhangapirita]

David’s been outed for lying 😂😂😂😂 good one spoon

[@dbjury]

We don't have an argument. Atlas. Atlas. Atlas. Lmao. Dare we have a freedom mentality.

[@Flowers60-pl6jp]

@@dbjury There are lots of different economic models, potentially good answers and better ways of doing things around the world. Superficially we all deserve and want freedom. But what does that look like and for who? . Freedom to exploit and take advantage of workers, freedom to plunder and wreck the environment for future generations, freedom to avoid your fair share of taxes so we can’t adequately fund public services. Services that will benefit the majority and those who can’t afford private health care and education. Freedom to avoid regulations that protect public safety and wellbeing. Even free speech has its limits in law. Freedom and rights also comes with individual and social responsibility. Otherwise it’s almost psychopathy. Often when you explore what freedom means to hard right ideology it means freedom for me but not for thee. That doesn’t mean we need to go hard the other way. But there is a balance.

[@DW_Kiwi]

Just!! Bring the evidence...Facts. That's all!!

[@wood_rat]

Seymours connection to the Gibbs family who are part of Atlas and major donors to racist ACT

[@MysticalAlchemy33]

Act not racist, but obviously you are

[@wood_rat]

@@MysticalAlchemy33 I don't abuse the indigenous Maori of Aotearoa, clearly you have no problem disrespecting Maori think you need your head checked

[@wikitoriasmith1713]

😂😂 ACT NOT Racist! 😂😂😂

[@merleyoung1869]

😅😅😅😅

[@josephl9619]

Why didnt you challenge the maori party leader when she was sppouting this nomsense? Jack, you should have been ahead of this. And this reporter seemed shocked that the free speech union challenged the gang patch ban. Why didnt she know that? the nz press is so ridiculously uninformed.

[@ISavant]

because debbie ngarewa-packer was right, and this was a puff piece for the atlas network.

[@josephl9619]

@ISavant no,, she wasnt and no it wasnt.

[@ISavant]

@@josephl9619 it literally was.

[@overover..]

Deliberately uninformed

[@NathanOrmsbyKCOG]

Wow she lies so easily

[@jasonniania3937]

ACTs... Twit Think Tanks Traitors... YES ...

[@breninaotearoa4152]

David has learnt to say the same message repetitively for it to become fact.

[@AnaTuari]

Its a global think tank to manipulate how people think. If they are that good. Feed people

[@Deadnvrsleep]

Half the people commenting probably didnt even watch the video 😂

[@Tupunaforever]

The comments are more entertaining, haven't watch the video😅😮😂

[@skipd1738]

This network will get dismantled

[@skipd1738]

This network needs to be dismantled

[@shanematijevich3452]

Nah they are good

[@jemma_19988]

Q&A has just became a conspiracy crackpot channel !! I believe there's lasers in the jungle, lasers in the jungle somewhere!!!

[@ngairelynch1587]

What a one sided interview. It was more like an opportunity for Atlas to sugar coat their business.

[@overover..]

Why? They are one efficient Conservative lobby group. Every media organisation and large company in the world at this point is a progressive lobby group, why not a little balance?

[@annepadams7669]

Dark way of looking at a conflict of interest. Interesting very interesting comment!

[@paulsouter9782]

So someone from nz and who's gives funding to act and no knows that the exists

[@YeeWhoEnterHere]

Oh it's all fine then... Yeah right.

[@RJH755]

I usually like Q+A, but what tf kind of journalism is this?

[@winterrising8738]

i wonder who owns Atlas 👃👃👃

[@JeremyWalker-ez9li]

Really, this is much better: #BHN Special: What is the Atlas Network? With Dr Jeremy Walker kzbin.info/www/bejne/epivmmWhZap8ebM

[@stephenmorgan-s4m]

You should have picked her up on it last week, poor journalism .

[@wiremurakadouglasuren3112]

And Jack , look up the list of companies, ie banks ,airports, food suppliers, power suppliers etc etc that are all members of atlas or affiliated satellite organizations of Atlas Network. Alcohol, tobacco, farming, oil,petrol, mineral mining, etc etc. Do your job Jack ka pai Who wrote the Privatization bill etc who come on mate. Don't force me to make a fool of you. Because i will

[@rjlchristie]

Embarrassing expose of the current state of NZ journalism.

[@howardmarshall3110]

KZbin link for an unbiased view of what the Atlas network has been doing - not that of a cheerleading outgoing chair. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp20gKpsptWVors

[@ADzDaRRman]

haha its cuz kiwis are smart, we have figured out your game #BHN

[@嬛嬛的侍卫]

Utterly pathetic “analysis” with nil hard questions and just a PR spin. No wonder Debbi Gibbs decided to show up

[@pamrush5078]

What lies what lies and what lles Atlas is evil

[@ADzDaRRman]

she looks so scared, she shaking

[@wiremurakadouglasuren3112]

Ask willie Jackson, suze REDMAYNE, Ron mark,winston Peters, helen clark, who i am.. Investigate this story properly Jack. OR ARE YOU ON THE PAY ROLL ALSO? MAYBE I WILL DIG INTO YOUR HISTORY NEXT

[@222-i6o]

last 6 yrs i have forgot tht the left were and always will be the original conspiracy theorists

[@Flowers60-pl6jp]

@@222-i6o I agree that conspiracies can be found on the left and right. Follow the money and you will see Atlas is not a conspiracy. Q and A did poor investigative journalism on this one. They represent the Tobacco industry, corporate interests such as mining, pharmaceuticals, and those big family foundations are organisations like the Koch bros. One example, isn’t it interesting with this government’s links to big tobacco, Phillip Morris were given $216 million in tax breaks. For what public good?

[@Patricia-28Oct]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp20gKpsptWVorssi=_ln40NF1tM8bu9Xk

[@donnascrivener4166]

Lies lies

[@steveharris5008]

this Debby speaks honestly as opposed to Irish debbie who hates on all who are not her kind of Maori, just like Winston, David, Shane and me... typically she attacks the messenger and not the message...

[@darrenhenry9591]

I don't believe her one bit

[@RockIt88.0FM]

Sounds like a cult to me!

[@ihagibson9274]

Guilty interference

[@nickc9404]

mmm now i love atlas !

[@MysticalAlchemy33]

If you aint pro brexit and pro trump youre a lost cause dude

[@mikeygt35]

A bit rich coming from TPM, in light of the open, accepted nepotism not only in TPM but across maoridom, and "koha" which is clearly corruption...Loom forward to Jame Tame chasing this down and demanding answers

[@wiremurakadouglasuren3112]

I sent you emails regarding this a long time ago. May be you want to look. I have some other documents you may like to see, regarding oranga TAMARIKI .. Ombardsman, and the Naz police that may interest you. But first, Tidy up your act ,punn intended

[@stewatparkpark2933]

Grasping at straws . Resort to conspiracy theories . Rather pathetic for a public broadcaster .

[@MysticalAlchemy33]

Blackrock puppets trying to blame atlas for what their mates do lol

[@merleyoung1869]

Lame Interview. Whena should be ashamed of herself. Full of lies!!

[@TimExcellent]

Who actually gives a toss? On the left you have WEF, why would you not want a balance to that. I would think an organisation based on freedom and success would be a good thing

[@Duckz558]

depending in the show if you ask me

[@poerava]

Pay close attention people This is what propaganda looks like Atlas is big oil, gas and coal money. And Seymour is their mouth piece.

[@Deadnvrsleep]

Least their not the freemasons

[@darylhedge8764]

Atlas have more important things to do than worry about Lil Ole nz , much to tpm / packers belief

[@ISavant]

This was actually super lazy, irresponsible "journalism". Literally no looking into the roots of the atlas network or what they believe, just asking debbie gibbs if the atlas network is good or bad and just accepting it when she says "oh we're like super cool and good, actually. we just give money away for free and expect nothing out of it" No looking into the views of f a hayek, who is the basis for their views, no looking into the atlas network funded organization David Seymour used to work for that denied the horrors of canada's residential schools, or it's funding of climate denial. FFS jack, you had an incredible interview with luxon literally *right* before this, and then you air this lazy crap.

[@mauriora5489]

Atlas tupuna of Act - less

[@Duckz558]

when shouldn’t have i see miley is tossing atlas nutshells out of their country causing riots ring a bell

[@geofflye4582]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Network