The six men charged after a made-for-TV airport stunt went wrong have had their case put off for a month while police consider whether granting diversion would be appropriate.
TV presenter Ben Boyce, The Rock host Bryce Casey, TV producer Andrew Robinson, Daniel Watkins, Craig O'Reilly and Gregory Clarke appeared in Manukau District Court this morning facing a single charge under the Civil Aviation Act of providing false information in an attempt to gain access to a secure area.
If convicted the men face up to 12 months in jail or a fine of up to $10,000.
Lawyer Paul Gruar, who represents four of the men, told Judge Charles Blackie he was seeking to remand the matter for consideration of diversion.
Judge Blackie said as the group had indicted they would plead not guilty, the case would have to come back for another hearing. He remanded the matter until November 15.
To get diversion, the men would need to admit to the charge.
All have pleaded not guilty, and will reappear in court next month.
The skit was to be shown on TV3 show WannaBen.
Boyce, the creator of the comedy show Wanna-Ben told ONE News: "It was meant to be a harmless skit. Obviously it escalated and as soon as we found out the police were investigating we got in touch with them. And we're sorry for all the trouble we've caused."
"This was an attempt at humour which we fully accept was misplaced.
"I cannot say how sorry we all are."
But the authorities did not see the funny side of the incident.
The stunt was widely condemned by the aviation industry which said, if convicted, the men could find it difficult to travel internationally.
Police issued a picture of the fake pilot before arresting the men.
Police say the man who donned the pilot's uniform is 32-year-old Bryce Casey, a radio jock on The Rock which is owned by the same company as TV3 - MediaWorks.
CCTV footage appears to show Casey entering Auckland Airport's domestic terminal where police say he tried to get airside before being turned away and leaving in a van.
Irene King of the Airline Industry Association said the incident could have led to people having their flights delayed.
"It could have ultimately resulted in some very intrusive screening of passengers on regional operations," she said.
Prime Minister John Key said the stunt, in the middle of the Rugby World Cup and close to the anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks, was "irresponsible from a bunch of clowns that should know better".
"We are in the middle of hosting a Rugby World Cup and if these are people who are just playing games, they need to grow up."
Each week, Wanna-Ben sees Boyce search for a new job.
The series currently receives nearly $600,000 in New Zealand on Air funding.
At the time of the incident, the agency's CEO told ONE News that the pilot prank is an editorial matter.
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