Nicky Hager

Nicky Hager
Nicky Hager, July 2008
Born	1958 Levin, New Zealand
Occupation	Investigative journalist
Nationality	New Zealander
Alma mater	Victoria University of Wellington
Children	1
Website
www.nickyhager.info

Nicky Hager (born 1958) is a New Zealand investigative journalist. He has produced six books since 1996, covering topics such as intelligence networks, environmental issues and politics. He is the only New Zealand member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

Hager was born in Levin to a middle-class "socially aware" family. His father was from Vienna, Austria, a clothing manufacturer who emigrated to New Zealand as a refugee from the Nazis, and his mother was born in Zanzibar (part of Tanzania), and later grew up in Kenya and Uganda.

Hager studied physics at Victoria University of Wellington, where he also did an honours degree in philosophy. He stood as a Values Party candidate for Pahiatua in the 1978 general election.

After graduating from university, Hager worked at the ecology division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), and later worked with his brother-in-law building and renovating houses.

Hager is an investigative journalist who has written six books. As of February 2015^[update], the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), an international network that has 165 investigative reporters in over 65 countries, has Hager as its only New Zealand member.

Hager works on a number of projects at any given time, gathering information about them and looks for sources and mentors. Some projects "come together" but others can continue for a number of years.

Secret Power – New Zealand's Role in the International Spy Network, published in 1996, was Hager's first book.