We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Play

00:00

/

00:00

Full screen
Video quality

Low 0 MB

High 0 MB

HD 0 MB

Captions
Volume
Volume
Hero image for 3 News - 'Corngate' interview with Helen Clark

3 News - 'Corngate' interview with Helen Clark

Television (Excerpts) – 2002

On 9 July 2002 the ruling Labour Party was under pressure on the Genetic Engineering (GE) issue, when John Campbell confronted Prime Minister Helen Clark over the suspected release of GE corn seed in 2000. In a 3 News special, a fired-up Campbell, informed by Nicky Hager's yet-to-be-published book Seeds of Distrust, alleged there had been a cover-up. Upset at what she perceived as an ambush, Clark reacted tersely; she later labelled Campbell a "sanctimonious little creep". With a general election looming, the encounter was dubbed 'Corngate'.

Sanctimonious little creep.
– Helen Clark’s later description of Campbell

Produced by

Logo for TV3

TV3

More from the Legendary NZ TV Moments Collection...

Thumbnail image for The Son of a Gunn Show - Thingee's Eye Pop

The Son of a Gunn Show - Thingee's Eye Pop

The moment Thingee's eye popped out has become a...

Thumbnail image for Police Ten 7 - "Always Blow on the Pie"

Police Ten 7 - "Always Blow on the Pie"

It was the food safety advice that echoed around the...

Thumbnail image for Heartland - Wainuiomata

Heartland - Wainuiomata

This episode was probably the most controversial...

Thumbnail image for 6.30PM News - Leeza Gibbons

6.30PM News - Leeza Gibbons

In 1988 Entertainment This Week’s host...

Thumbnail image for Wheel of Fortune - Celebrity Episode (10 October 1992)

Wheel of Fortune - Celebrity Episode (10 October 1992)

Game show Wheel of Fortune involves the...

Thumbnail image for Eyewitness News - Bob Jones punches reporter Rod Vaughan

Eyewitness News - Bob Jones punches reporter Rod Vaughan

In July 1985 New Zealand Party leader Bob Jones and...

Thumbnail image for 3 News - 'Corngate' interview with Helen Clark

3 News - 'Corngate' interview with Helen Clark

On 9 July 2002 the ruling Labour Party was under...

Thumbnail image for Eyewitness News - Snap Election Setup

Eyewitness News - Snap Election Setup

In one of New Zealand politics’ more notorious...

Thumbnail image for Holmes - Dennis Conner Interview (First Episode)

Holmes - Dennis Conner Interview (First Episode)

In this famous interview from the very first episode...

Thumbnail image for Face to Face with Kim Hill - John Pilger

Face to Face with Kim Hill - John Pilger

"You waste my time because you have not prepared for...

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - First Episode

Shortland Street - First Episode

The first episode of Shortland Street starts...

Thumbnail image for The Listener Gofta Awards 1987

The Listener Gofta Awards 1987

One of New Zealand television's more notorious...

Thumbnail image for Goodnight Kiwi

Goodnight Kiwi

Long before 24-hour television, Goodnight...

Thumbnail image for Tonight - Robert Muldoon interview

Tonight - Robert Muldoon interview

Like many other current affairs shows in the 70s,...

Thumbnail image for 6.30PM News - Grahame Thorne's Perm

6.30PM News - Grahame Thorne's Perm

With stints as an All Black, Springbok triallist,...

Thumbnail image for Gallery - Ending the Post Office Go-Slow

Gallery - Ending the Post Office Go-Slow

In this legendary 1970 edition of current affairs show...

Thumbnail image for Melody Rules - Going, Going ... Goner (First Episode)

Melody Rules - Going, Going ... Goner (First Episode)

'Going, Going ...Goner' was the ominous title for the...