Over-limit yachtie who reversed up on-ramp banned from driving in NZ

Graham Applin, who sailed around the world with his family, was fined and banned for seven months after admitting drink driving and dangerous driving.

A round-the-world yachtsman from Fiji has been banned from driving in New Zealand after reversing the wrong way up a motorway on-ramp while over the limit.

Graham Ivor Applin, 51, who owns Vibe, one of the most popular restaurants in Fiji, should have been back in the tropical paradise yesterday but instead appeared in the Auckland District Court.

On Sunday morning, after a birthday party, Applin was heading from central Auckland to the airport for his flight home.

He took the Symonds St on-ramp where a police checkpoint had been set up.

The former London architect was spotted by police reversing the wrong way and officers on foot pursued his car more than 40 metres before they apprehended him.

Breath tests gave a reading of 607 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath - more than two times the new legal drink-drive limit.

Applin's explanation to police was that he thought he had taken a wrong turn and was not trying to evade them.

"Clearly it's not particularly plausible," Community Magistrate Joanna Sihamu said.

"Avoiding a checkpoint is a highly aggravating feature to drink driving."

Outside court the defendant absolutely denied it was a "sneaky getaway".

"I went to a mate's birthday party and we had a pretty full-on evening but finished about 11.30 and I crashed out and fell asleep," Applin said.

He said he never considered he may be over the limit.

A couple of years ago, Applin sailed around the world with his wife and two children before settling in Fiji.

Fearing a lack of architectural work, he opened the restaurant - ranked the best in the country on the Trip Advisor website - but then discovered he had to pay tax on his 57ft luxury yacht, Nakesa.

As a result, the vessel is now moored in Auckland.

Applin said he had been in the city fostering links between Fiji National University and Auckland University and hoped his indiscretion would not hamper his efforts.

"I'm working with the university here and I don't want my reputation damaged over a short story," he said.

"If I was the sort of guy that got rip-roaring drunk now and then drove a car this afternoon, fine, but I'm not that guy."

Ms Sihamu fined him $1100 and disqualified him for seven months on charges of dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol.