David Seymour | on the situation in the NZ Police

Dale Husband David Seymour | Leader of the ACT Party

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Deputy Prime Minister and ACT Leader David Seymour, a regular on this programme, joins us again to discuss his party’s education reforms and recent policy decisions.

“A lot of people are rightfully angry” 

Key Figures & Context

• Tania Kura: Appointed as Deputy Commissioner (Central & Southern Districts) in April 2023. Her responsibilities include investigations, serious & organised crime, national security, media & communications, and districts in the Central and Southern parts of Aotearoa.

• Jevon McSkimming: Also held a Deputy Commissioner role (statutory deputy) from 2023 but was suspended in December 2024 and resigned in May 2025 amid serious allegations and investigations.

Major Developments

1. Suspension & Investigation of McSkimming
   In January 2025, McSkimming was suspended on full pay pending a criminal investigation. He remained on leave for months-according to an RNZ‑report in May he’d been off for four months.

   In May 2025, the Minister of Police, Mark Mitchell, confirmed that McSkimming had resigned immediately amid “allegations of a very serious nature”. Further court decisions later allowed media reporting of objectionable material found on his work device.

2. Retirement of Kura
   In July 2025 it was announced that Tania Kura will retire from her Deputy Commissioner role and leave the New Zealand Police later in the year (November). She has had a 37‑year policing career.

3. Leadership Appointments & Vacancies
   With McSkimming’s resignation and Kura’s pending retirement, the Police are in the process of recruiting for Deputy Commissioner positions. Meanwhile, the Police website lists that as of March 2025, Kura is acting in the role “Deputy Commissioner: Central and Southern Districts” and Jill Rogers is “Deputy Commissioner: Northern Districts (relieving)”.

Implications & Significance

• Reputation and trust: The resignation of McSkimming amid allegations of serious misconduct has significant implications for the Police’s senior leadership credibility and public trust.

• Leadership continuity: Kura’s retirement will create another gap in senior leadership at a time when momentum is needed in policing reforms and community relationships.

• Operational impact: The filling of Deputy Commissioner roles is not just a personnel matter-it affects key portfolios (e.g., investigations, district operations, culture, capability) and the overarching strategic direction of the Police.

• Organisational culture: The developments raise questions about vetting, oversight, accountability at senior levels, and the mechanisms by which senior leaders are held to account.

• Public & stakeholder perception: Iwi, community groups, government stakeholders will be watching how swiftly and transparently these vacancies are filled and how the Police maintain or restore confidence.

What to Watch Going Forward

• Who will be appointed to the vacant statutory Deputy Commissioner roles, and what their portfolios will be.

• How the Police respond in terms of improved governance, senior leadership accountability and whether the recruitment process includes strong integrity checks.

• Whether interim measures are put in place to ensure continuity of major portfolios (e.g., investigations, districts) during the leadership transition.

• How the organisation manages the narrative and works with the public and key communities to rebuild trust.

• The timing and substance of any reforms announced in response to the McSkimming case (e.g., internal oversight, device usage policies, senior leadership vetting).

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