New Zealand Police Commissioner defended accepting a luxury Cartier watch as a diplomatic gift during an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, stating the item was secured for the office rather than for personal gain. According to Police Commissioner Chambers, the timepiece was received as a diplomatic gesture to recognize the relationship between agencies and will be displayed in the Police Museum at the Royal New Zealand Police College.
The disclosure forms part of a wider register detailing gifts, hospitality, and travel provisions accepted or declined by senior law enforcement officials. Under strict internal guidelines, personnel must log all offers exceeding $50, ensuring transparency across international engagements and domestic operations.
Managing International Diplomatic Gifts and Heritage Items
The Cartier watch arrived during high-level discussions regarding arrangements for a New Zealand Police liaison officer post in Abu Dhabi. According to Chambers, the deployment forms a core part of ongoing co-operation plans to combat transnational and organised crime.
"NZ Police has a strict gift policy. In this instance the decision was made to accept the gift as a diplomatic gesture, recognising the relationship between the two agencies and the visit to the UAE," Chambers said.
Rather than remaining in private hands, the watch is classified as a heritage of office. It now sits on display at the Police Museum at the Royal New Zealand Police College.
Employees are bound by transparency regulations to reveal any hospitality or gift proposals that might generate a real, perceived, or potential conflict of interest. The policy applies regardless of value, though mandatory reporting kicks in for any item valued above $50.
Did You Know?
Even if turned down, any hospitality or gift propositions surpassing the $50 threshold must still be documented.
Cross-Border Security Baskets and Disposed Hardware
The gift register reveals a diverse array of items flowing between international law enforcement partners. Based on the files outlining these disclosures, nine food and alcohol baskets were provided to the national security and international group by the police attache representing the UAE embassy in Singapore. Those items carried a combined valuation of $1305.
Other international exchanges involved more unusual hardware. According to the register, FBI director Kash Patel gifted a 3D-printed pistol and a "challenge coin" to Commissioner Chambers. While authorities accepted the package in full, the 3D-printed gun was subsequently destroyed. The combined value of the pistol and coin was listed at $100.
Meanwhile, a senior liaison officer received $600 worth of skincare products provided by the United Arab Emirates’ state security department. Police accepted those items before later donating them to charity.
+————————————+—————-+——————-+
| Gift Description | Source | Final Disposition |
+————————————+—————-+——————-+
| Cartier Watch | UAE Visit | Police Museum |
| Food & Alcohol Baskets (9 items) | UAE Embassy | National Security |
| 3D-Printed Pistol & Challenge Coin | FBI (Kash Patel) | Gun Destroyed |
| Skincare Products ($600 value) | UAE State Sec. | Donated to Charity|
+————————————+—————-+——————-+
Domestic interactions also feature prominently on the transparency register. According to official records, the FBI and unnamed industry partners provided $125 worth of hospitality to the national criminal investigation group director.
Not all offerings make their way into staff breakrooms. Police declined several high-value packages, including $1000 worth of Musashi energy drinks that were originally bound for the Counties Manukau Police.
Smaller consumable items that passed security checks found their way to frontline staff or charitable causes. In December 2025, Wellington Police received $40 worth of Boss coffee. In June, Auckland Police accepted $100 of donuts donated by Krispy Kreme to share with personnel. Other edible items appeared on the log simply classified under the broader category of "food."
When staff accepted gift cards, beauty products, or alcohol, standard agency protocol routed those items directly to charity rather than individual desks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to luxury gifts given to New Zealand Police officials?
According to agency policy, gifts given to an office rather than an individual—such as the Cartier watch—are retained as heritage items and placed on display at the Police Museum located at the Royal New Zealand Police College.
Are police officers allowed to keep gifts from foreign entities?
No. All offers of gifts or hospitality exceeding $50 must be reported. Items accepted on behalf of the organization are cataloged, while items like skincare products, gift cards, and alcohol are frequently donated to charity or declined entirely.
Who oversees the police gift register?
The internal register is managed under strict New Zealand Police policy, requiring staff to disclose any offer that could create an actual, perceived, or potential conflict of interest.