Te reo inspired police car hits the road
A te reo Ma¯ori inspired police car is turning heads and dividing some opinion across social media.
Launched on Monday for Ma¯ori Language Week, the car with ‘‘pirihimana’’ (police) written on the side with a koru pattern in the usual blue and yellow colours.
The car, or waka as police refer to it, will be based in the Counties Manukau district permanently.
Senior Sergeant Ivan Tarlton says staff were looking forward to working in the car.
‘‘This is one tool in our kit, basically in terms of a strong focus on recruitment within the Ma¯ori space,’’ he says.
‘‘We’re really keen for more Ma¯ori applicants to be reflective of our community and also around trust and confidence and engagement with iwi and the wider community.’’
The car was at a NZMA careers expo in Manukau on Wednesday, aiding a police recruitment stand.
It turned heads and groups of people posed for photos and asked questions about the car.
‘‘This morning we’ve had several people ask to jump in the front seat for photo opportunities, which we’re happy to indulge,’’ Tarlton says.
He says reaction to the car saw ‘‘widespread of opinion across social media as tends to be the case’’ but that overall feedback was ‘‘warm’’.
‘‘[It’s also] reflective of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our own obligations, duties and desire to be responsive to Ma¯ori.’’
It was launched at Papakura Marae by Commissioner Mike Bush in early September.
The commissioner says the car will help in recruitment across the wider Auckland region.
‘‘We are passionate about reflecting the communities we serve and working with Iwi to reflect the Ma¯ori population.
‘‘The more we can do to effectively communicate the better, and there are a number of instances where having an officer able to speak Te Reo has really been advantageous in resolving situations,’’ the assistant commissioner says.