Editorial: UK press duped over 'topless' claims

Prince William and his wife Catherine meet a Maori warrior during a welcoming ceremony at Government House in Wellington.

A variety of English newspapers have blindly quoted a UK-based (and apparently Kiwi) "expert" in haka and Maori protocol in the lead-up to William and Kate's royal visit to New Zealand.

Seemingly hungry for anything quotable on the royal visit, the papers have relied on the word of "New Zealand-born leader of the haka" Tredegar Hall, who said the normally bare-chested female Kapa Haka performers would cover up out of respect for the royal couple.

All performers, also out of respect, would wear underwear under their flax skirts - also going against the norm, according to Mr Hall.

And just to cap it off, the royal couple will be served native wood pigeon, kereru, straight from the hangi.

It's easy to see it's a hoax, and I suppose it's pretty funny, although there will be some furious editors out there. And if Mr Hall really does work for the New Zealand High Commission in London, he's in for a world of hurt with his bosses.

What it does demonstrate is how vulnerable a newspaper is, in these times of an under-resourced media, when you are not close to your community.

I can remember cashing in slightly when I lived in England and the Lord of the Rings hype was huge. People believed me when I told them Rivendell was "just down the road".

Obviously a media outlet is wise to multi-source, but there are times when you are entitled to rely on the word of an expert, because they have credibility.

But healthy scepticism is a great leveller

And while it might make me twitch when I get told something's wrong, I am glad to be in a community where people do their best to put me right.