A growing network of Facebook pages masquerading as New Zealand news outlets is flooding social media with AI-generated images and videos that distort genuine reporting, according to an investigation. The accounts lift copy from established mastheads and attach computer-generated visuals or lightly rewritten text.
While the examples uncovered are New Zealand-specific, researchers and fact-checkers say the same pattern is playing out across news markets worldwide, largely unnoticed by readers until harm is done.
Reporting by Australian Associated Press found one page, operating under the name NZ News Hub, repeatedly republished stories from RNZ, the New Zealand Herald, Stuff and others. The material was overlaid with AI-produced images and short videos and presented as original content.
The page’s biography promises “latest New Zealand news, breaking stories, politics, business, sport, and community updates”. It has attracted thousands of followers and steady engagement despite producing no journalism of its own.
The practice has been particularly cruel in its treatment of the Mount Maunganui landslide that killed six people. A still photograph supplied by police of a 15-year-old victim, Sharon Maccanico, was animated to make it appear she was dancing. RNZ confirmed no such video was recorded by its crews.
Fact checks by AAP and others show multiple images linked to the disaster contain geographic errors, implausible details or digital markers indicating they were generated by AI rather than captured on scene.
Experts say the incentive is straightforward. Andrew Lensen, a senior lecturer in AI and programme director at Victoria University of Wellington, told AAP: “These pages want to get as much engagement (reactions, comments, shares) as possible, in order to build their following/exposure and potential ad revenue.”
The ready availability of generative tools has lowered the barrier to creating what look like news operations, he said, and some synthetic images even carry watermarks such as Google’s SynthID that most users would not recognise.
Other outlets have documented similar behaviour. A 1News analysis identified at least 10 Facebook pages that repurpose local reporting, run it through generative systems and publish it with fabricated visuals. One review found a single page posted more than 200 items in a month. Separate AAP fact checks detail repeated cases in which purported footage of politicians, police responses or grieving families was fabricated or manipulated.
The spread is not confined to Facebook. Fact-checking organisations report false images and clips appearing on TikTok, Instagram and X within minutes of breaking events. Transparency data for Facebook pages shows many of the accounts are administered from overseas, including operators in Vietnam and Malaysia, complicating questions of intent and accountability. Even when platforms act, moderators say near-identical clones often reappear quickly.
The legal position offers limited comfort. New Zealand’s Classification Office says the law treats AI-generated material the same as other content under the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993: what matters is what is depicted, not how it was created. Civil defence agencies and community groups have warned the public about synthetic posts during emergencies, citing the real-world harm misinformation can cause.
Mainstream outlets are responding cautiously. RNZ has published AI principles stating it will generally not knowingly disseminate output created by generative systems. Some industry observers argue trusted media may gain renewed authority as sources of verified information. Others warn that any reliance on AI by legacy organisations risks further blurring the line between fact and fabrication.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on 9 February 2026, which is recent. However, similar reports have appeared in the past week, such as the AAP’s article on 5 February 2026. ([aap.com.au](https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/nz-media-outlet-misrepresents-news-with-ai-images-and-video/?utm_source=openai)) This suggests the topic is currently under active investigation, but the specific content may not be entirely original.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from experts like Andrew Lensen, a senior lecturer in AI at Victoria University of Wellington. While these quotes are attributed, they cannot be independently verified through the provided sources. The lack of direct links to the original statements raises concerns about the authenticity and context of the quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The article is published by RNZ, a reputable New Zealand news organisation. However, the content heavily relies on information from the Australian Associated Press (AAP), which may affect the independence of the reporting. The AAP’s article is also cited as a source, indicating a reliance on external reporting.
Plausibility check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about AI-generated content on Facebook are plausible and align with recent reports. However, the article’s reliance on a single source (AAP) for specific details about the ‘NZ News Hub’ page raises questions about the comprehensiveness of the investigation. The absence of direct evidence or examples from RNZ’s own findings is a concern.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article addresses a timely and plausible issue regarding AI-generated content on Facebook. However, it heavily relies on information from AAP, lacks direct verification from RNZ’s own reporting, and includes unverifiable quotes. These factors raise concerns about the originality, independence, and verification of the content.
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