Latest news with #MarkMitchell
NZ Herald
2 hours ago
- General
- NZ Herald
Act leader David Seymour suggested ‘bots' drove ‘fake submissions' against his Regulatory Standards Bill
David Seymour claims 99.5% of submissions were created using bots. Photo / Mark Mitchell RNZ Act leader David Seymour has claimed 99.5% of the submissions received on the Regulatory Standards Bill were created using 'bots'. The Ministry for Regulation received approximately 23,000 submissions regarding a discussion document about the bill in January. In summarising the feedback,
RNZ News
19 hours ago
- General
- RNZ News
Judge reserves decision on injunction on Jevon McSkimming investigation
Former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming. Photo: Getty Images A High Court judge has reserved her decision on whether the media should be allowed to report the nature of the allegedly objectionable material found on former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming's work computer. McSkimming resigned as the country's second most powerful cop last month amid a four-month investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority and police. His resignation came after Police Minister Mark Mitchell said he was recently informed of allegations of a "very serious nature", separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended. RNZ earlier revealed pornography found on McSkimming's work computer is being investigated as alleged objectionable material. He declined to comment on the allegations through his lawyer. His lawyer Linda Clark was earlier granted a rare "superinjunction" by Justice Grau that prohibited reporting the nature of the allegedly objectionable material, as well as the existence of the injunction itself. A teleconference was then held by Justice Gwyn from the High Court at Wellington to discuss the injunction with Clark, the police, and legal counsel for RNZ, Stuff and NZME. Following the conference, the order prohibiting publication of the nature of the allegedly objectionable material was continued, but the order prohibiting the existence of the injunction was not continued, meaning RNZ could report the fact of McSkimming's application and the interim result. On Tuesday, a hearing was held in the High Court at Wellington before Justice Karen Grau in relation to the injunction. RNZ, NZME and Stuff were jointly represented by Robert Stewart KC. McSkimming's lawyer, Linda Clark, began proceedings by telling the court she was seeking orders extending the current interim orders prohibiting media from disclosing the nature of the allegedly objectionable material reportedly found on his work device or devices. The order was sought until further orders of the court. Clark alleged information deemed "essential" to the investigation had been leaked to the media who were intending to publish the information. She said the orders sought were necessary to protect the rights of someone who is subject of an ongoing police investigation and who may yet be charged with a criminal offence. The information gathered during the police investigation was "confidential", she said. In relation to public interest, she said there was already information in the media about McSkimming. She said the public interest would be served in the event he was charged and stood trial. McSkimming was on notice that the police investigation was into material purportedly found on his devices. He had been told he would be invited to a formal interview, however, no request has been received to date. A police document, classified as "confidential", would be "the centrepiece of any criminal prosecution," Clark said. "It's on the basis of that information that the police can decide whether to continue the investigation, whether to look further and whether to charge, and what to charge." She said there was also an issue in terms of privacy, and said a person under criminal investigation, prior to being charged, has a reasonable expectation of privacy in respect of information relating to the investigation. Clark said she was trying to "preserve Mr McSkimming's rights to engage the Criminal Procedure act if and when he's charged". She said that every time police had provided some substantive piece of information to McSkimming it had appeared within the media "in a day or two days without exception". Clark said there was public interest in McSkimming's situation. She said public interest had been served to date. "If he is charged... there will be further opportunity for media to publish more information on charges themselves and during and after any trial," she said. "But publication now of any more information about the nature of the objectionable material found on his computer will cause serious and irreversible harm." It would harm his reputation, curtail his ordinary rights under the Criminal Procedure Act, and in the event he was charged and elected trial by trial, it could impact his chance of trial by jury. "At this time he's still an innocent man who is entitled to all of the protections of a fair trial and the right to seek suppression orders." Stewart KC said a memorandum from police said they were still investigating, and no charging decision had been made. He said there was two sorts of harm that could be considered, one of which was harm to the police investigation. He said the police had no concern that further disclosure of the material would impact their investigation, or impact their decision whether or not to charge. In relation to right to a fair jury trial, Stewart KC said juries can be trusted to obey judicial directions about only dealing with the charges based solely on the evidence and to ignore pre-trial publicity. In relation to privacy, Stewart KC said McSkimming was "quite clearly" a public figure. "There is a huge public interest in these investigations into Mr McSkimming's abrupt resignation from office, first working day after he had been provided with the material by the Public Service Commission." In an affidavit, McSkimming said he resigned because he didn't want the Prime Minister or anyone else having to see what was in the reports. "The only fair way of summarising it is he jumped before he was pushed," Stewart KC said. "The public have a right to understand a little bit more about the nature of the material that led to that." Stewart KC said his clients submitted that if the interim restraint should be continued, then "matters should be left to take their course, if there is to be any restraining at all, it should be as limited as possible for as short as possible." Crown prosecutor Stephanie Bishop, appearing for police, told the court that police did not oppose the application.
RNZ News
a day ago
- General
- RNZ News
Media fight injunction on details about Jevon McSkimming investigation
Jevon McSkimming. Photo: Getty Images The High Court is set to hear arguments about whether the media should be allowed to report the nature of the allegedly objectionable material found on former deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming's work computer. McSkimming resigned as the country's second most powerful cop last month amid a four-month investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority and police. His resignation came after Police Minister Mark Mitchell said he was recently informed of allegations of a "very serious nature", separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended. RNZ earlier revealed pornography found on McSkimming's work computer is being investigated as alleged objectionable material . He declined to comment on the allegations through his lawyer. His lawyer Linda Clark was earlier granted a rare "superinjunction" by Justice Grau that prohibited reporting that disclosed the nature of the allegedly objectionable material, as well as the existence of the injunction itself. A teleconference was then held by Justice Gwyn from the High Court at Wellington to discuss the injunction with Clark, the police, and legal counsel for RNZ, Stuff and NZME. Following that conference, the order prohibiting publication of the nature of the allegedly objectionable material was continued - but the order prohibiting the existence of the injunction was not continued, meaning RNZ could report the fact of McSkimming's application and the interim result. On Tuesday, a hearing will be held in the High Court at Wellington in relation to the injunction. RNZ, NZME and Stuff will be jointly represented by Robert Stewart KC. The IPCA earlier announced it was investigating allegations of misconduct by McSkimming following a complaint from a member of the public . It is also conducting an investigation into if there was misconduct or neglect of duty by any other police officers or employee in responding to the allegations. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said in an earlier statement that he appreciated that the resignation of McSkimming raised questions, but said the criminal investigation couldn't be "compromised by commenting on the circumstances of it at this point". "However, I can say that I have always made it very clear that trust and confidence in police is a top priority for me as commissioner," Chambers said. "I take very seriously anything that puts trust and confidence and the reputation of police at risk and will act to address it." McSkimming's resignation came after Police Minister Mark Mitchell said he was recently informed of allegations of a "very serious nature", separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended. Mitchell said McSkimming resigned before he could be dismissed. He did not say what the allegations were. Mitchell said the Policing Act was "very clear". "A deputy commissioner of police must be a 'fit and proper' person. They are rightly held to the highest standards of conduct and this new information called into serious question Mr McSkimming's fitness for office. "When Mr McSkimming was invited to respond to these allegations he chose to resign. Mr McSkimming's resignation has confirmed my view that his continuation in the role was untenable." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Gang Patch Ban: 6052 charges laid, 132 patches seized, 426 gang warrants executed in six months
– Undertaken 426 searches of gang targets (Warrant: 175; Warrantless: 251) – Seized 89 firearms from gang members. - Seized 637 insignia items (including 132 patches). Police Minister Mark Mitchell praised the work, saying the legislation was working. 'Police around the country have done an outstanding job at enforcing the new gang laws,' Mitchell told the Herald. Police Minister Mark Mitchell during his walkabout with a police beat section in Wellington. 'It's proved to be an exceptional tool for police to roll over the top of gangs, and take back control of our streets. 'No longer do we see gang patches in public causing fear and intimidating law-abiding Kiwis, compliance remains high, and gang members have been sent a very clear message that police control the streets, not the gangs.' Basham, who heads police investigations agreed with his minister. 'To be fair to the gangs, we asked them to use good judgment if not, there would be consequences,' Basham said. Police conducted more than 500 meetings with gang leaders and communities prior to the legislation coming into force in late November. Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham. 'And for the most part they have complied with the legislation. 'There are some gang members that have been convicted and a few of those charges are being defended. 'But the convictions and prosecutions are just one measure. The success is what we are observing in communities, that that fear and intimidation from gangs has significantly reduced over the past six months. 'To me, that's the most obvious key to the success.' Black Power life member Denis O'Reilly. Photo / Paul Taylor Black Power life member Denis O'Reilly said gangs had been compliant. 'I was half expecting a big blow up but gang leadership has been intelligent enough and the police have done a great job by rallying those gang leaders to comply,' O'Reilly said. 'I was in Auckland for a Black Power league match and there was no visible gang insignia – not even T-shirts. 'Yet when they went back to their clubrooms, they were able to put on their patches.' O'Reilly said while gang friction was always in the wind, because rivals are not running into each other in town, there is less confrontation. 'Because the gangs are not annoying the public, they are not annoying each other as much,' he said. Basham said gang leaders had also been very clear to their members that losing their patches comes 'with consequences of threats of violence to fines'. The Herald has been told loss of a gang patch can cost the gang member up to $5000. Basham said of the 132 gang patches seized, police would ask the court to order the destruction of them if the owners are convicted. What gang tangi looked like before the November 21, 2024 legislation came into force. He said the extra resource given to the police meant they could react and also activate tough and clear responses to gang activity, utilising good gang intelligence. 'There are a number of other tools, like the Firearm Prohibition law, and powers that come that will make it difficult for gangs to operate,' Basham said. 'We know many of the gangs here are involved in organised gang activity. 'One hundred of the 500 extra police were earmarked for the gang units. Seventy-seven have, or will go into the district gang disruption units and 20 in the national gang unit in Wellington. 'You will see more police engagement working with gangs at gang tangi and as we observe high level of compliance, we can refocus our effort on where gangs are involved in violence, firearms and drugs. The real enemy are the cartels. Yes the gangs are involved in the distribution but where's it coming from? Lifetime Black Power member Denis O'Reilly 'Gangs are involved in a large scale in the methamphetamine distribution.' But O'Reilly says it's not solely the gangs that police should be concerned about over the drug trade. 'The real enemy are the cartels. Yes the gangs are involved in the distribution but where's it coming from? Offshore and the border controls are only now starting to see just how much unprecedented meth is coming here via the cartel. 'The real drug enemy is not within but from the outside. It's the foreign players who promise the young guys the earth, but don't explain you can only see it from 6 foot under. 'All police see is this gang mist.' Basham said the police objective was to prevent crime and if needed acts of strength, like they did in Ōpōtiki, would be utilised to support communities. Last October, officers executed 30 search warrants 'targeting identified people believed to be involved in a North Island-wide drug distribution network'. Twenty-eight people were arrested, and illegal drugs and firearms were also seized. Police were criticised by some MPs and also whānau caught up in the raids in the Bay of Plenty town for allegedly being too aggressive. Basham said police made no apologies for wanting to rid communities of violence and drugs. 'Preventing crime and harm is a major part of our focus,' he said. 'Like what has happened in Ōpōtiki, where police have come in and supported communities,' he said. 'We will continue to do that with the enforcement to help communities build resilience to drugs and crime. 'We are a modern policing service and proud how we police in 2025. We are evidence and intelligence led and this last six months and our ability to work in communities, reflects who we are and what's possible. 'We are positive about this legislation and committed.' 'If you look at the purpose of the Act and its intention on having an impact on how gangs operate and fear and intimidation, it's been successful and we have had a lot of feedback from the community and police. 'As an organisation, we want people to not only feel safe but be safe and leading up to the new legislation, we had observed behaviours around gang tangi which caused concerns across New Zealand. 'I think we have seen a significant reduction in that behaviour around those types of gatherings. 'Senior police have said to me they have not seen anything like it to what we were seeing before the legislation to what we are seeing now.' Basham said the anti-gang legislation was 'a tool among a suite of tools' police could use to make an impact on criminal behaviour. He said police also had received some intelligence that the patch ban had 'de-escalated some gang confrontations'. That included police hearing anecdotally that even gang members felt safer. 'I think some gang members themselves feel safer when they go into town to do their groceries, or drop their kids to school,' he said. 'We had a lot of engagement with gangs before this legislation was rolled out and we were clear of what was coming and wanted to be transparent. 'To their credit, many gangs have taken those conversations we had on board. 'It was clear what would happen if they breached the law.' Joseph Los'e is an award-winning journalist and joined NZME in 2022 as Kaupapa Māori Editor. Los'e was a chief reporter, news director at the Sunday News, covering crime, justice and sport. He was also editor of the NZ Truth and prior to joining NZME worked for urban Māori organisation Whānau Waipareira. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Top Sportspeople Recognised With Honours
Minister for Sport and Recreation The King's Birthday 2025 Honours List recognises the outstanding depth of talent, dedication, and leadership across New Zealand's sport sector, says Sport and Recreation Minister, Mark Mitchell. 'I would like to particularly acknowledge the appointment of Catriona Williams as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. As a former top equestrian rider, she became a tetraplegic after a riding accident in 2002. She has since turned adversity into advocacy, founding The CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust in 2005 and raising significant funds and awareness for spinal cord injury research. Two of our cricketing greats, Sophie Devine and Timothy Southee, have also been recognised as Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit. 'Sophie Devine has led the White Ferns through international campaigns, including a T20 World Cup win in 2024 and a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. She is a cricket icon and powerful role model for the next generation. 'Tim Southee's legacy in cricket is vast. He became the only player to have achieved 300 Test, 200 ODI, and 100 T20I wickets. His influence goes beyond the pitch, as a mentor and leader whose impact on the sport will be felt for years to come.' Sarah Walker has also been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to BMX and sport governance. 'Sarah's success spans from Olympic podiums to global sports leadership. As an Olympic silver medallist and now a member of the International Olympic Committee, she has championed athlete rights and inspired countless young New Zealanders.' Murray Mexted for his services to rugby, is another notable recipient. 'As a legend of the game, both on the field as a formidable All Black, and as a charismatic and influential voice in rugby commentary, his commitment to rugby in New Zealand is something we are all proud of. 'My congratulations to all our sportspeople honoured this year. Your contributions continue to shape New Zealand's sporting legacy and inspire us all,' says Mr Mitchell.
