Ross Meurant: The Liz Gunn Case - Not Guilty

Liz Gunn: A law graduate and former Television presenter, more recently recognised as an anti-vax campaigner and condemned by most MSM as a conspiracy theorist, the founder of the Loyal NZ political party, has been pilloried by many.

As I posted recently (referring to the Polkinghorne case) (1), in New Zealand we are deemed to be innocent until proven guilty.  And, if charges brought by a prosecuting agency of the State, fail to prove guilt, or are later on appeal, set aside, “that person” is deemed to be – Not Guilty.

Prejudice midst the populace, in my view, is often a virus let lose by Main Stream Media – who demonstrate a penchant to target individuals and bash them with information, which while it may be factual, is in fact irrelevant to claims or charges being laid or made against some fellow New Zealander, by a State agency.

Based on experience in a former career (2) I focus now on assessment of the facts appurtenant to charges filed against Liz Gunn, by the Police.  My opinion of Liz Gunn is not relevant.

On 25 February 2023, Liz Gunn went to the Auckland Airport to greet persons arriving from Tokelau. Why she went to meet them, is not relevant to my assessment of what happened next.

Gunn joined a male friend who had been waiting for her for some time – during which he was clearly visible to CCTV as he polished his mid-sized “professional” camera.

Within minutes of Gunn joining her colleague, a security officer confronted her and told Gunn and her associate to stop filming. 

To get the attention of the female security officer, Gunn then gently tapped the officer on the arm and asked why they could not film and what law was being applied.

At this point, a two male NZ Police officers arrived.  Within a few seconds - the cameraman was dumped to the floor by one officer. 

Gunn was grabbed by the arm by the second officer, who wrenched her shoulder from the socket as he dumped the mid-sixties woman to the floor.  He then wrenched her right thumb with such force, it broke her wrist.

Neither Gunn nor her companion, offered any resistance nor were they formally arrested before these actions were taken by the police.

The police then handcuffed both Gunn and her associate and formally arrested them, as they were being escorted outside.

After being detained for some 30 minutes (during which Gunn complained about pain from her injuries) handcuffed and humiliated in full view of passers-by, Gunn and her associate were escorted to their vehicles; formally trespassed and told to leave the airport.

Charges of wilful trespassing at Auckland International Airport and resisting police, were dismissed at Gunn’s Hearing in March 2024.  Gunn was convicted of assault on an airport security officer.

On Appeal heard 13 February 2025 the charge of assault on an airport security officer, was set aside.

What happens next?

It seems to me that Gunn has the option of complaining to The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) which handles complaints about the NZ Police.

IPCA (and Police internal reviews), are closed to the public - akin to backroom justice and not, in my view, where culpability should be determined – most certainly not where indictable crimes are involved.  Invariably their findings are not released to the public until 1 – 2 years have elapsed – when public interest has waned.

In my assessment of the justice system, Courts are where culpability should be decided. Open Court where all witnesses are subject to cross examination.

NB in 1985 as an inspector of police, I was briefly assigned to the IPCA.

In my assessment, Gunn’s only chance for justice is, to seek a private prosecution for assault against the police officer who acted as described above.

NB The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Thomas case, was an open Court where cross examination took place in full view of the public – and came up with verdicts that the Police to this day – still seek to deny: i.e. that the .22 cartridge case found at the homicide scene and presented as the cornerstone of evidence to convict Arthur Allan Thomas for the murders of Jeanette & Harvey Crewe, was “planted” i.e. Fabricated.

The Royal Commission also named the police officers responsible for the said, fabrication

I was the constable on C.I.B. trail assigned as a scene detective at the Crewe homicides June 1970, who, during two “thorough and methodical searches” (3) of the Crewe home gardens in June & August 1970, did not find a .22 cartridge case.

On 27 October 1970 - after Jeanette Crewe’s body had been recovered on 16 August and .22 bullet fragments were found in her body, Detective Sergeant Mike Charles did find a .22 cartridge case.  Note:  Mike Charles did not plant the .22 case.  He found it – but he never planted it.

Bruce Hutton was the detective inspector (O/C) in charge if the investigation.  Detective Sergeant John Hughes was O/C Suspects.  Bob Walton was National Head of the C.I.B.  As the Troika, these men made the decisions.  As my police career proceeded, I became a close friend of Hutton and Hughes and a biter adversary of Walton – for the following reason – and Red Squad.

At the Royal Commission hearings, I rejected pressure from Commissioner Walton to change evidence I had previously given i.e. to commit perjury (4) – a “recommendation” which appears to have been part of a new strategy by Mr Walton, to provide an explanation why the .22 case was not found when I searched the strip where it was found by Mike Charles.

Ross Meurant BA MPP.  Company Director. www.gena.co.nz  Former Police Inspector, Member of Parliament & Honorary Consul.

(1) https://breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2025/02/ross-meurant-guilty-before-found-guilty.html

(2) From A “scene detective” at the Crewe homicides 1970. 1971 the initial O/C Body of the Mary Bacham homicide; the first female David Tamihere was convicted of killing – through the ranks confronted with many “suspicious deaths, to O/C Inspector in charge initial scene at two profile homicides.

(3) Report of the Royal Commission to Inquire into the Circumstances of the Convictions of Arthur Allan Thomas for the murders of David Harvey Crewe & Jeanette Lenore Crewe. Paras 291,295,296,299,319.

(4) When Good Cops Go Bad, North & South magazine, 2011.