Read Between the Headlines: Framing Police Bias in New Zealand Media

Abstract

This study delves into the intricate landscape and uncovers how New Zealand news media portray the complex issue of police unconscious bias. It investigates the research question: How do New Zealand news media portray police unconscious bias? Employing a qualitative methodology that integrates content analysis and framing analysis, the study examines a corpus of news articles, reports, and multimedia content spanning the period from anywhere before 2014 to 2024. The aim is to critically assess how unconscious bias within the New Zealand Police is constructed, contextualised, and communicated by mainstream media outlets.

The findings indicate that news media predominantly frame police unconscious bias as a systemic issue embedded within structures of institutional racism. Particular attention is given to its disproportionate impact on Māori, with recurring representations highlighting over- policing, higher prosecution rates, and disparate justice outcomes. Media narratives frequently centre on specific incidents, thereby catalysing public discourse on racial profiling, institutional accountability, and the limitations of reform efforts such as diversity and unconscious bias training.

This study argues that media representations play a pivotal role in shaping public understanding of unconscious bias and in influencing policy discourse and advocacy efforts. By illuminating the ways in which the media frame and problematise police bias, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of the media’s role in reinforcing or challenging dominant power structures. The findings underscore the imperative of critical media engagement in fostering equitable social outcomes and advancing public accountability within law enforcement institutions.