What is the truth?
This is the critical question left hanging in the aftermath of this week's stoush between the Port of Tauranga company and unions representing casual workers.
The Maritime Union has made some extraordinary and serious allegations that drive to the very heart of this country's strict health and safety laws.
It says its casual workers are too scared to report injuries or accidents for fear of being blacklisted for further work.
It claims shortcuts are being taken that jeopardise staff safety.
The other, big union that covers port workers, the Rail and Maritime Trade Union, acknowledges the reporting issue as being "a bit of a problem in some ways".
A worker, who understandably would only speak on condition of anonymity, backs this up.
On the surface, this seems to be a strong case from the unions and the workers they represent.
But is it really?
It comes as no surprise the Port sees things entirely differently.
Chief executive Mark Cairns dismisses the claims as "absolute rubbish" and has accused the Maritime Union of trying to paint the Tauranga port in a bad light against its Auckland counterpart, which is locked in a bitter industrial dispute with the union.
The dispute, he says, centres on a bid by Ports of Auckland to bring its productivity up to those achieved at Tauranga, while the union maintains productivity at Tauranga is at the expense of health and safety.
The Tauranga port also has one of the lowest claims histories with ACC.
So, all this comes back to my question: What is the truth?
Ports are by their very nature dangerous but is there a serious health and safety problem in Tauranga? Is the fact these ACC figures are so low because people are not reporting issues? It is worth noting injuries treated by a doctor are usually recorded in the ACC system.
Or is the union being mischievous and unfairly tarnishing the port's reputation?
It is well documented that management and unions never see things the same when they have a dispute.
Each side will interpret facts and opinion differently and it seems to me such is the case here.
This even extends to our readers.
On this Opinion page today, there are differing views on the issue.
This issue is one of public interest and, as a media outlet, our job is to present it to readers, not make premature decisions on who is right or wrong.
Safety must be the number one workplace priority. Companies must comply with legislation and face the consequences if they don't, and staff must be able to raise issues without fear of repercussions.
The only way to get to the bottom of this matter is a robust, independent investigation.
Department of Labour inspectors should go into Tauranga's port and establish the truth.
They should interview staff, unions and management and seek proof and examples.
If the port is found wanting, it needs to fix things.
But if the union is found to be making anything up or stretching the truth, the public has a right to know.
Reputations are at stake.
We deserve the truth.