Officer found guilty of racial abuse

Jeanette McNee. Photo / James Jubb

A Queenstown policewoman accused of racially abusing a taxi driver in the resort last year has been found guilty.

Jeanette May McNee, 44, was found guilty on one charge of offensive language stemming from an incident on November 3.

No conviction has been entered after defence counsel Nic Soper said he would be seeking a discharge without conviction.

Judge Tony Couch remanded her at large until September 23 for a hearing date to be confirmed.

McNee had denied telling Queenstown Taxis driver Ganesh Paramanathan: "F*** off to India. You come here and get all of the Kiwi jobs; eat your f****** curry and f*** off to India. This is a Kiwi job."

Mr Paramanathan had driven her and a group of associates, including her husband Geoffrey, from Queenstown to Lake Hayes Estate via Quail Rise.

In a statement, Southern District commander Superintendent Andrew Coster said police acknowledged the court's finding.

He said the officer remained on leave without pay.

"Police note that the court process is not yet finalised and have no further comment to make at this time."