Minister pays for late call

NEW Zealand’s Transport Minister Phil Twyford has been fined $NZ500 ($A459) for making a last-minute phone call before taking off from Wellington Airport.

Mr Twyford used his phone moments after the doors of the commercial plane closed – which is against Civil Aviation Authority rules.

The CAA fined Mr Twyford, who had oversight of the authority but has now handed over that responsibility.

“This is inappropriate for anyone, but particularly inappropriate for me as transport minister,” Mr Twyford said.