Twyford’s wings clipped after airplane call

Transport Minister Phil Twyford has apologised and offered his resignation to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as Transport Minister after making a phone call on a plane.

Twyford has lost responsibility for the Civil Aviation Authority after the incident on a domestic flight.

Twyford made the call after the aircraft doors had shut in preparation for take-off.

“I recognise that I made the call when I shouldn’t have,” he said in a statement. “This is inappropriate for anyone, but particularly inappropriate for me as Transport Minister. I apologise unreservedly.”

“I have apologised to the Prime Minister and offered my resignation as Transport Minister.

“She has declined my offer but chosen to transfer my responsibility for the Civil Aviation Authority to Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter.

“I have referred the matter to the Civil Aviation Authority who will follow whatever processes they deem appropriate,” Twyford said.

National MP Gerry Brownlee was fined $2000 for breaching airport rules when he bypassed security to board a domestic flight in 2014 while he was Transport Minister.

In his letter to the CAA director, Twyford said he wanted to draw his attention to the incident on May 17.

“I believe this was in breach of the Civil Aviation Rules regarding the use of electronic devices on aeroplanes.

“I apologise for this breach and understand that you will take whatever action you deem appropriate,” he said in the letter.

Speaking to reporters later, Twyford said he made the call from a plane he had boarded in Wellington.

“That’s unacceptable. It’s particularly inappropriate for a Minister of Transport to do that.

“Today I informed the Prime Minister of this matter and offered my resignation. I made a mistake and I clearly wasn’t thinking straight at the time. I recognise that. It was unacceptable and I apologise unreservedly.”

Twyford said he was making a call to a staff member and thought it had been important at the time.

“In hindsight it doesn’t excuse or justify breaking the rules.”

Twyford said he had not given the matter a “moment’s thought” until yesterday, when he received a written parliamentary question about it from Judith Collins.

Ardern said she expected all her ministers to follow the rules.

It is a second black mark against Twyford within a week. He was told off by Ardern after he called Treasury officials “kids fresh out of university” when asked why their figures on construction investment differed to his.