UN to quiz NZ on stun guns

Last Updated: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:20:00 +1100

New Zealand's Justice Minister is heading to New York - and the United Nations Human Rights Committee - to defend his country's use of Taser stun-guns by police.

Simon Power will face questioning over two days from the committee of 18 countries on Tasers and other issues relevant to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The minister will be joined by New Zealand's ambassador to the United Nations, Jim McLay, a former National Party leader and Justice Minister.

Mr Power is expected to tell the committee that the electro-shock weapons have only been used on a few occasions by New Zealand police, and that they are an instrument of last resort.

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