Dear John,

I am sure that most of you, like me, are shocked at the report we have just=
received from the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) that has con=
ducted a wide-ranging and comprehensive review on the activities and attitu=
des of the former Police executive. =C2=A0In response, the Government is ac=
ting decisively to install the strongest statutory oversight mechanism avai=
lable to it =E2=80=93 an Inspector-General of Police.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says he expects Police to uphold the highest =
levels of integrity, transparency and accountability.

As a former Minister of Police, I agree with him wholeheartedly.=C2=A0

As you may know the IPCA report highlights significant flaws in the decisio=
n making, judgement and actions of a group of individuals, including those =
at the top of the previous Police executive Andrew Coster and Jevon McSkimm=
ing. Their actions have raised serious concerns about integrity and culture=
within the executive group they led.
=C2=A0
These people have blatantly ignored a woman who has been let down by their =
coverup and manipulation of the review system.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
The upshot of the IPCA report is that it has raised questions around whethe=
r there is sufficient independent oversight of the Police to prevent these =
issues happening again.
=C2=A0
It also raises questions about probity checking of the suitability of Jevon=
McSkimming whose activities are at the centre of this issue, by the Public=
Service Commission (PSC) when McSkimming was appointed Deputy Police Commi=
ssioner in 2023.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
His abhorrent behaviour was picked up during the Police Commissioner recrui=
tment process in 2024 when he was a candidate. His history was revealed and=
he was suspended and then resigned.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Many New Zealanders will understandably have questions around how McSkimmin=
g was able to be considered for roles at the highest level of Police given =
what has come to light. As the Minister of the PSC, I can tell you that the=
PSC is taking these concerns very seriously.
=C2=A0
As a consequence of their report, the IPCA has made 13 recommendations for =
Police and a further two for the Government regarding better Police oversig=
ht. =C2=A0All have been accepted by the Government and the Police as we mus=
t be able to have confidence in our Police.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
In particular, appointing an Inspector-General of Police is the most effect=
ive way to strengthen oversight to the most robust level available to the G=
overnment and the people of New Zealand.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
As well, the Public Service Commission has moved to strengthen its recruiti=
ng processes by proactively conducting an independent review on the referen=
ce and probity checks undertaken on McSkimming in 2022-2023 prior to his ap=
pointment as Deputy Police Commissioner.
=C2=A0
Hon Mark Mitchell says and I strongly agree, that it is important to emphas=
ise the report findings should not be seen as a reflection on our police se=
rvice as a whole.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
There are more than 15,000 police officers nationwide who serve and protect=
our communities with distinction and bravery. It is imperative New Zealand=
ers have trust and confidence in the Police as the Government continues to =
do.

Meetings - APEC and ASEAN=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Recently I joined our Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Malaysia after hi=
s successful meeting with President Trump at an APEC meeting in South Korea=
.=C2=A0
Mr Luxon felt his one-on-one meeting with the President Trump had definitel=
y gone well and had been to New Zealand's advantage. =C2=A0One of the thing=
s Mr Luxon was able to emphasise was New Zealand=E2=80=99s cooperation with=
the US on matters of defence and security.

The US administration know that New Zealand is in the process of increasing=
its defence budget in coming years and our space industry is of rapidly gr=
owing global importance. It is apparent that New Zealand is no longer seen =
as a defence bludger in Washington and this was made clear to me in my rece=
nt meetings with Defence officials there, too.

Our stance on Defence will positively contribute to lessening the uncertain=
ty created by Liberation Day tariffs of 15 per cent imposed on New Zealand =
exports to the US.=C2=A0

The high tariffs remain a problem for New Zealand but will be in the backgr=
ound for now while President Trump assesses the effects of the tariffs to i=
mprove the economy of his country.=C2=A0

We must remember that we share the tariff pain with many other nations and =
Mr Luxon acknowledged that he has the same goals of creating growth and pro=
sperity in New Zealand, as many other leaders have, including President Tru=
mp.

As Defence Minister, I went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to attend the Associ=
ation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers=E2=80=99 Meeting=
-Plus (ADMM-Plus). It marked 50 years of New Zealand=E2=80=99s dialogue wit=
h ASEAN and 15 years since the first ADMM-Plus meeting was held in Vietnam.=
=C2=A0

ASEAN comprises Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, =
Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam.

The ASEAN Dialogue Partners are Australia, Canada, China, the European Unio=
n, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United=
States.
=C2=A0
My counterparts and I discussed complex defence and security issues, sharin=
g New Zealand=E2=80=99s perspective and deepening existing relationships ar=
ound security and open trading relations.=C2=A0

Papakura Rotary Christmas Festival and Parade reminder=C2=A0

I hope to see many of my constituents at the Papakura Rotary Christmas Fest=
ival and Parade on Sunday 23 November from 11am at Bruce Pulman Park, Walte=
rs Road Takanini.
=C2=A0
All the best to you and your families,

Judith

Hon Judith Collins KC
MP for Papakura

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=C2=A0
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Thorndon, Wellington 6011
New Zealand
=C2=A0
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nd, then it is a fundraising event with proceeds, after costs, being a dona=
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=C2=A9 2025 | All rights reserved.

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