Back home — in uniform and numbers
Northland’s frontline police have been bolstered with the arrival of eight newlygraduated constables, the biggest new contingent for the region since the government increased funding for recruitment nationally in 2017.
They took up their duties on May 27 after a powhiri at Waikare Marae, in the Bay of Islands, where District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill was delighted to welcome them.
“I think it will mean a lot to have people who know and love Northland as much as its people serving our communities here,” Superintendent Hill said.
“These new constables will bring a variety of skills and knowledge to the area, and I know they are itching to get to work and help keep our communities safe.
“I am confident that the leaders of the future will be among them.
“It’s really big for Northland, the biggest number we’ve ever had back,” he added. “You would have heard the message that 1800 new staff are coming to the NZ Police. Our slice of that is about 86 staff, so it’s really great to have this occasion.”
Six more Northland recruits will graduate from the Royal NZ Police College in Porirua on Monday.
In 2017 the government announced that Northland would receive an extra 66 officers over four years, but last year Commissioner Mike Bush lifted that figure to 87, by no later than June 2023 and potentially sooner.
Anyone considering a career in the police should go to www.newcops.co.nz, phone 0800 NEW COPS (0800 639-2677), or contact Sergeant Sarah Wihongi at the Kaitaia station, phone (09) 408-6500.
The next recruitment hui in Northland is scheduled for the Whanga¯rei police station on Monday, starting 5pm.