Claims Aviation Security failed their job -- after a convicted criminal was allowed to evade safety checks, and fly to Auckland

Despite an alarm going off in an initial security check, the individual was allowed to board the domestic flight with more than a hundred other passengers... with the pilot unaware of the incident.

Air Line Pilots' Association President, Andrew Ridling says it highlights the need for an independent enquiry into the performance of Aviation Security, and how it's part of its own auditing body, the Civil Aviation Authority.

He says they need to be separated -- which is in-line with other countries.