Gifts from a King: Watches, fighting knife given to Kiwi protection officers

Then PM John Key with Jordan's King Abdullah II in November. NZ Herald photo by Mark Mitchell.

Diplomatic protection officers who worked during the recent visit of the King of Jordan were given wrist-watches and a Royal Jordanian fighting knife.

The gifts have been declared on a gift and hospitality register for the past financial year published by police - with other disclosures including 100 cupcakes and a conference in Las Vegas.

Then Prime Minister John Key hosted King Abdullah II of Jordan in Wellington last November. The King spent two days holidaying in the South Island between a visit to Australia and his official duties in Wellington, which included a state dinner and meeting with Opposition leader Andrew Little.

Police diplomatic protection officers are based in Wellington and Auckland and are responsible for the protection of Parliament, Government House and Premier House.

DPS members received 8 wrist-watches with an estimated value of $3200.

The gifts were accepted on advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, given they were marked with the King's insignia and were unsuitable for on-gifting. The officers who received a watch made personal donations to charities, given the high-value of the gifts.

A Royal Jordanian fighting knife valued at $200 was also accepted and is displayed in the protection services office, as was a ceremonial knife also valued at $200.

Big ticket items disclosed on the gift and hospitality register include flights and accommodation paid for by CI Technologies, a company that produces software - IAPro - used by more than 500 police agencies worldwide.

It spent $5000 to host the deputy chief executive at an IAPro conference in Last Vegas last year, and $10,000 for five members of police's professional conduct and employment relations teams to attend an IAPro users conference in Alice Springs, Australia in January.

The police assistant commissioner attended a conference in Las Vegas in June paid for by Hexagon, an IT company, at an estimated cost of $7000.

Other notable items include $100 cash anonymously delivered to Wellington Police, along with a note thanking staff for the recovery of a stolen vehicle. The money was put towards a morning tea.

Another unnamed person gave Hawke's Bay Police 100 cupcakes, which were shared among staff. And an unnamed individual gave a detective in Canterbury alcohol worth $400, which was accepted "in recognition of the considerable trust and confidence gained by the detective".

Offers declined included 150 pairs of disposable overalls of the type worn during crime scene examinations, valued at $3000 and offered by Kimberly-Clark Professional NZ.