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NZ transport minister offered resignation over plane phone call

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Arden has turned down transport minister Phil Twyford’s offer to resign, after the minister admitted he made a phone call on a plane after the doors had shut.

Twyford told Arden he would resign, if she saw fit, after Nationals transport spokesperson Judith Collins was reportedly told by a member of the public about the incident, and pushed for answers.

Twyford will keep his job as transport minister, but Arden stripped him of his responsibility to the Civil Aviation Authority in light of the incident.

“I recognise that I made the call when I shouldn’t have,” Tywford said on May 24. “This is inappropriate for anyone, but particularly inappropriate for me as transport minister.”

Twyford reportedly told the press he had made the call to a staffer and it had lasted under a minute, but apologised “unreservedly” for his mistake.

“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.”