title: Awa v Independent News Auckland Ltd
text: # Awa v Independent News Auckland Ltd
  
  Awa v Independent News Auckland Ltd [1997] 3 NZLR 590 is a cited case in New Zealand regarding the defence of fair comment / honest opinion to a claim involving defamation
  
  ## Background
  
  In the aftermath of the death of comedian Billy T. James, his uncle Awa took his body away from his Pakeha wife, in order to give him a customary Māori burial at his ancestral marae.
  
  Auckland's Sunday News newspaper covered it with a quote referring to Awa as "Billy's 'body snatching' uncle".
  
  Awa subsequently sued for defamation, which the newspaper claimed was "fair comment".
  
  ## Held
  
  The Court held it was fair comment.
  
  