Bob Edlin: Child porn - Brierley went to jail and lost his knighthood.....

.....but former Maori fishing CEO gets to serve time at home

At first blush, it seemed the former chief executive of Te Ohu Kaimoana was treated leniently when he was spared jail after police found 136 files “of the worst kind of child exploitation material on his devices.

At second blush, that impression was not dispelled.

Graeme Hastilow was sentenced to 12 months’ home detention in July after pleading guilty to five charges of copying child exploitation material and five charges of possessing it.

Home detention? Really?

Bob Edlin: Cops can move fast when armed with radar gear......

Cops can move fast when armed with radar gear, but become plods when it comes to bullying allegations

If the cops have been tardy responding to your complaint about an assault, a burglary, or what-have-you, perhaps it’s because they are busy investigating allegations against fellow cops.

John McLean: Paint it black

Dark December days of New Zealand Judgery

On 16 December 2025, District Court Judge Tim Black sentenced ex-Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming for Jevon’s serial criminal viewing of child pornography and bestiality, on his work computer. Judge Black sentenced McSkimming to nine months home detention.

Kevin: Thoughts for the Year

As it’s the end of the year I’d thought I’d do a ‘thoughts of the year’ post – a list of things and events that were important to me. So, in no particular order:

The Murder of Charlie Kirk

Here, it’s not so much his murder, which was a tragedy, but the reaction of his detractors: from outright mocking to lying and taking what he said out context. I really have no words for the staggering level of vitriol, although I’m not sure if even vitriol is the right word.

Peter Dunne: Andrew Coster resignation

In the wake of the Jevon McSkimming scandal, the resignation of former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster as chief executive of the Social Investment Agency was not unexpected. Both the criticisms of Coster's judgement on the McSkimming case when Police Commissioner that were highlighted in the Independent Police Complaints Authority report and the sensitivity of his new role at the Social Investment Agency made his continued employment in a senior public service role untenable.

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: The woman in the Jevon McSkimming saga wasn't innocent here

So it turns out the woman with whom Jevon McSkimming had an affair, whose warnings police ignored and who police charged instead of investigating McSkimming, is still facing charges.

This is the news today. And the police are having to defend this.

David Farrar: IPCA slates Police cover up of McSkimming allegations

The IPCA has released a report so damning of the Police, that the Government has announced there will be an enhanced oversight body – the Inspector-General of Police.

This is not to do with the objectionable material that was found on his work devices. This is about the original complaint. I heard the basic details of this around six months ago, so it is good to be able to now write about it.

Bob Edlin: Hipkins gets chippy about the vetting system for Police promotions....

Hipkins gets chippy about the vetting system for Police promotions (and the reason why he might be blushing)

PoO recalled who was involved in the appointment process, when we noticed the RNZ headline that said:

Hipkins calls for more robust vetting after it failed to identify McSkimming’s behaviour

David Farrar: Objectional material is very serious stuff

Radio NZ reports:

The Police Commissioner says he takes “very seriously” anything that undermines the public’s trust and confidence in police.

It comes after RNZ revealed pornography found on the work computer of former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming is being investigated as alleged objectionable material, RNZ understands.