Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Genetic engineering has sparked protests divided governments and resulted in one of the most controversial interviews in NZ history. As Parliament once again looks at our GE laws, Context looks back at the political storm that never really ended. Subscribe: youtube.com/RNZVideo?sub_confirmation=1
In 2002, allegations of a government cover-up over genetically modified corn exploded into one of New Zealand's biggest political scandals. Nicky Hager's Seeds of Distrust landed in the middle of an election campaign. Helen Clark accused John Campbell of ambushing her in an interview that became the stuff of broadcasting legend. Protesters filled Queen Street, politicians turned on each other, and the debate over genetic engineering became one of the most divisive issues of the era.
More than two decades later, the Government is once again trying to change New Zealand's genetic engineering laws. But why are they still among the strictest in the world? How much of the fear was about the science and how much was about trust, politics and the power of the media?
This week on Context, Corin Dann and Guyon Espiner revisit the story behind Corngate, unpack the ethics of one of New Zealand's most controversial political interviews, and explore why a debate that began more than 25 years ago is still shaping our politics today.
Genetic engineering has sparked protests divided governments and resulted in one of the most controversial interviews in NZ history. As Parliament once again looks at our GE laws, Context looks back at the political storm that never really ended. Subscribe: youtube.com/RNZVideo?sub_confirmation=1
In 2002, allegations of a government cover-up over genetically modified corn exploded into one of New Zealand's biggest political scandals. Nicky Hager's Seeds of Distrust landed in the middle of an election campaign. Helen Clark accused John Campbell of ambushing her in an interview that became the stuff of broadcasting legend. Protesters filled Queen Street, politicians turned on each other, and the debate over genetic engineering became one of the most divisive issues of the era.
More than two decades later, the Government is once again trying to change New Zealand's genetic engineering laws. But why are they still among the strictest in the world? How much of the fear was about the science and how much was about trust, politics and the power of the media?
This week on Context, Corin Dann and Guyon Espiner revisit the story behind Corngate, unpack the ethics of one of New Zealand's most controversial political interviews, and explore why a debate that began more than 25 years ago is still shaping our politics today.
