Kiwi photojournalist arrested in Zimbabwe

A New Zealand photojournalist has been arrested and fined in Zimbabwe.

State media says Robin Hammond has been fined $180 after taking pictures at a post on the border with South Africa.

He was convicted for contravening a section of the Protected Areas and Places Act.

Otago University international relations professor Robert Patman says investigative journalists face a tough choice in Zimbabwe.

He says they have to ask themselves whether to declare their intention to report and forfeit the chance of doing the story or claim they're going on holiday and do the investigation.

Mr Patman says this may not be the end of the matter.

He says one police authority says they are still looking into what Mr Hammond's real mission was.

"There's many reports that in fact he was investigating illegal migration but there are local sources, police sources in Zimbabwe suggesting that there may be another motivation."

Mr Patman says we just have to wait for developments.

Photo: Getty Images