A senior public servant is defending a heavy-handed email he sent to the owners of a cruise ship, which has since scrapped its New Zealand cruise season.

Immigration New Zealand's boss of visa services Peter Elms laid down the law in refusing entry to Le Laperouse.

In the email, Immigration New Zealand's boss of visa services Peter Elms laid down the law.

The cruises had been given the tick by the Health Ministry in December, only to be denied entry at the last moment - prior to arriving in New Zealand.  

It was felt 61 "non-essential" jobs could have been filled by New Zealanders.

Elms sent an email to the ship's owners Ponant Cruises warning them not to enter NZ.

A long list of consequences were threatened, including the jailing of the captain and senior crew, the seizure of the ship and the imprisonment of those aiding its entry.

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