Excellent article, Dave, thank you for explaining it all so clearly.
One thing unmentioned though is the allegation that they had mis-used government subsidies intended for the film industries on model and aircraft companies, causing much embarrassment to PJ's group.
Do you think this maybe helps explain the "why" as opposed to "what" happened re the sudden closure?
Thanks again.
I'll explain what that was all about.
Every year, the NZ Government gives grants to small film making organisations, as most governments do, to encourage them to work and relocate to NZ.
None of that money is paid to PJ, or any of his companies.
However, the organisations that do receive grant funding then spend the money on staff, rent, equipment, services, etc. Some chose to purchase from Wingnut, PJ's company. So those companies are customers to PJ. He provides a service, they pay him.
So PJ's company ends up with money that was granted, BUT only because of normal business trading. They don't receive any grant, they earn revenue from other companies that happened to be a grant.
So, it's a big stretch - but there is a sizeable movement in NZ that doesn't like PJ & thinks him too big for his boots.