Swank fined in New Zealand over fruit

Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank has been ordered to hand over $163 (€89) for taking an apple and orange into New Zealand.

Losing her bid for an appeal, the 30-year-old Million Dollar Baby star was issued notice of a fine for failing to declare her snacks - an apple and an orange - while arriving from Los Angeles on 15 January. She later appealed the penalty.

But the Manukau District Court rejected Swank's appeal, and she was yesterday ordered to pay out $142 (€78) in fines plus an additional $21 (€12) for court fees.

In seeking to have her fine expunged, Swank reportedly wrote the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry a handwritten letter stating she "simply forgot" she had the fruits in her bag after her 20-hour flight.