Courts martial to impose discipline In brief
Almost 100 courts martial have been held in the past 17 years, with the cost to taxpayers stretching well past $1 million.
And a disciplinary crackdown at Linton Military Camp in Manawatu¯ is a small, but highprofile part of that.
Figures released under the Official Information Act show the Defence Force has held 99 courts martial across the three sectors – army, navy and air force – since 2000.
The cost of holding these courts martial was $1.7 million, at an average cost of $17,200.
Of the 99, 28 were held at Linton Military Camp for a range of charges under the Armed Forces Discipline Act, Crimes Act, the Misuse of Drugs act and the Psychoactive Substances Act.
Linton Military Camp is the biggest out of all the military bases in New Zealand. When Brigadier Hugh Mcaslan was the commander of the camp, he tackled drug problems head on.
This saw a series of courts martial held at Linton in 2016 for drugrelated charges, including soldiers who were believed to have been on N-bomb.
Eight soldiers were taken into custody over Labour Weekend in Palmerston North in 2015 after they were found acting strangely in the city centre and were suspected to be under the influence of drugs.
Of those eight, three went to a court martial, with the other five dismissed from the military.
One soldier was dismissed from the army and sentenced to 90 days’ Defence Force detention, while two were found guilty and fined and kicked out of the military.
However, their convictions were quashed on appeal.
Other courts martial held at Linton during 2016 included one for a captain who failed to store two pistols securely and a Waiouru soldier accused of ill-treating subordinates.
The camp with the next-highest number of trials was Trentham Military Camp, Wellington, 23, then the naval base at Devonport, Auckland, 21, Burnham Military Camp, Christchurch, 12, and Waiouru Military Camp, 7.
Whenuapai Air Force Base in Auckland had three, Papakura, one, Ohakea Air Force Base, one, Wellington, one, and two trials were overseas.
A court martial is the military equivalent of a civilian court, which tries cases where a breach of military discipline or other offences may have occurred.
Possible sentences under a court martial are prison and automatic dismissal from the forces, detention at Burnham military prison or within other camps, demotion, severe reprimand or a fine.
Not included in the Defence Force costs was the remuneration of the District Court judges who may preside over a court martial.
Military lawyer Colonel Craig Ruane, speaking in a personal capacity, previously said convictions in a court martial under military law did not appear on police records. Offenders were also not required to give a DNA sample to police, meaning if they went on to do the same type of offending outside the military, police would not have a DNA sample to compare it with.
‘‘This is probably a historical anomaly,’’ Ruane said. ‘‘There are some changes planned which would see convicted charged in a court martial ... recorded against the person’s criminal history.’’
However, offenders could be required to give a DNA sample to police soon, as the Law Commission is conducting a review of the use of DNA in criminal investigations.
On the Law Commission website, former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said the commission would be researching and meeting with experts and scientists before talking to the public.
Finn concert in Himatangi
New Zealand’s favourite musical legend Neil Finn is stopping by Himatangi Beach this summer. It’s set to be a family affair on January 16 at the Manawatu¯ holiday hot spot as wife Sharon and sons Liam and Elroy join him on a tour that includes 18 concerts in 25 days. The Finn family should have no trouble selling out the Himatangi Beach Hall, and they will be joined at the performance by Connan Mockasin, Molly Lewis, John Carroll Kirby, Jimmy Metherell and Eliza-jane Barnes. Neil Finn, 59, rose to international fame as the founder of Crowded House in 1985. The band achieved international success two years later when they released the single Don’t Dream It’s Over and Weather With You. Tickets for the Himatangi Beach Hall show go on sale from November 10 and will cost $55.
Linton Military Camp is the biggest out of all the military bases in New Zealand. When Brigadier Hugh Mcaslan was the commander of the camp, he tackled drug problems head on.
Free passes to Grand Prix
Palmerston North and Manawatu¯ ratepayers will get a sweetener with their next quarterly bills – a free ticket worth $70 to the New Zealand Grand Prix at Manfeild in February. Each ticket will have a unique promotional code that can be redeemed on promoter Speed Works Event’s website for a full weekend pass. Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith said people could use their tickets themselves or share with family or tenants to help fill up the Feilding circuit. Potentially worth $3.15 million, the tickets were ‘‘a bit of payback’’ for the support ratepayers had given Manfeild over the years, and a chance for people to appreciate first hand why the international event was so important to the region.
New loos at Manawatu¯ Gorge
There are now more toilets at the Manawatu¯ Gorge walking tracks. Two toilet blocks have replaced single permaloos to support increased visitor numbers. The new facilities were funded through a central government tourism fund of $105,800, as well as $20,000 each from Horizons Regional Council, Palmerston North City Council, and Tararua District Council. Horizons Regional Council chairman Bruce Gordon said while the Manawatu¯ Gorge road may be closed, the reserve’s recreational facilities were still very much open. ‘‘Te Apiti – Manawatu¯ Gorge is a highly prized destination that offers a range of recreational opportunities in a highlyvisited, biodiversity managed and scenic location.’’ Last year’s figures showed more than 100,000 people visited the area and walking track numbers have increased by 350 per cent since 2012.