The problem:
chris@cubby ~ ❯❯❯ nix run -f '<nixpkgs>' zlib -c cabal install zlib
Resolving dependencies...
Configuring zlib-0.6.2...
Failed to install zlib-0.6.2
Build log ( /home/chris/.cabal/logs/ghc-8.2.2/zlib-0.6.2-L2Qec9Buml21zwTs2VzSGb.log ):
cabal: Entering directory '/tmp/cabal-tmp-31070/zlib-0.6.2'
Configuring zlib-0.6.2...