Bridges copped for speeding

Simon Bridges disclosed a speeding offence to the NZTA before being appointed as its new chairman in March. 

The former National Party leader received 35 demerit points after receiving a 120kph-plus speeding ticket in 2018.

“Not progressing an individual for appointment on the basis of their driving record is ultimately a judgment call for a minister,” internal emails published under the Official Information Act (OIA) reveal, reports the NZ Herald.

Bridges, pictured, acknowledged committing the “speeding offence” to the Herald, saying it was “some time ago”. He added: “I learned a valuable lesson.”

He told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking he paid a “very significant fine” and hadn’t received a ticket since then.

Bridges couldn’t recall the exact question the NZTA asked when considering him as its chairman, but said it was based around whether the applicant had any “convictions and so on”.

”They may have asked me something about speeding and I would have disclosed. Look, some time ago, you know, I did get pulled over.”

Demerit points remain active on an individual’s licence record for a period of two years from when the offence happens. An individual needs to accumulate 100 or more active demerit points before their licence is suspended.

Bridges didn’t have any active demerit points at the time of becoming chairman of the agency. 

The documents released under the OIA also state four candidates, including Bridges, were shortlisted for the role of NZTA chairperson. 

The other three names and information about them was redacted. Bridges was recommended because of his experience as a senior cabinet minister and political leader, according to the documents. Click here for the NZ Herald’s full story.