Former Hanover Finance boss Mark Hotchin has hired a top defamation lawyer to sue the New Zealand Herald and business columnist Brian Gaynor for stories published over the past two-and-a-half years.
Mr Hotchin and his lawyer, Julian Miles, QC, said six articles published individually and collectively meant he was "treated with hatred, contempt and ridicule", The Dominion Post reported.
In the articles, all but one written by business columnist Brian Gaynor, APN, publisher of the New Zealand Herald, had waged a long-standing campaign against Hotchin which damaged his personal and commercial reputation, Mr Hotchin's lawyer claims.
He is seeking aggravated and punitive damages against APN and general damages against APN and Mr Gaynor.
The amount being sought has not been given.
NZPA