Police appeal Alan Duff acquittal

Police are to appeal the dismissal of traffic charges against Once Were Warriors author Alan Duff.

Duff, 57, was found not guilty in Taupo District Court last month after failing to remain at a scene after being stopped for speeding, and failing to stop for police.

Two further charges of resisting arrest were dropped with Judge Chris McGuire criticising police for laying them in the first place.

He said in his written judgment that evidence in support of the resisting charges was "unpersuasive and vague" and police were right to seek leave to withdraw them

"The result, however, is that I am left uneasy over whether police prosecutorial power was used wisely and fairly," Judge McGuire said before dismissing the other charges.

Duff was charged after he was stopped for speeding north of Taupo on September 13 last year.

- NZPA