Relayers on the road

And they’re off! From the northernmost and southernmost points of mainland New Zealand, our intrepid staff have set off on the great 75th anniversary relay.

In the north, the relayers set out from Cape Reinga after a sunrise ceremony. In the south, they hit the road in Bluff in glorious sunshine after a lunch reception.

The relay is one of the centrepiece celebration events marking the 75th anniversary of the first female officers joining New Zealand Police.

Each group is carrying a specially commissioned torch; in addition the northerners are carrying a wooden taonga created by a local master carver which in future will be awarded to outstanding female Police employees in Northland.

“I felt privileged to have been here for the dawn blessing at the Cape,” says Deputy Chief Executive Public Affairs Karen Jones. “It was a real better work story.”

Also joining the northerners was Myra Larcombe, who was Northland’s first female officer when she joined Police in 1955.

Teams of relayers will pass through every Police district, using a variety of modes of transport from helicopter to tuk-tuk, and engaging in colourful community events along the way.

The northern and southern contingents will meet in Wellington where, on 1 August, they will join the national parade through the city to Parliament. The two torches will be joined together to form a single artefact of the celebrations.

Anyone who is with the relayers more in spirit than body can find out more about the event on the Police website and follow the walkers’ progress through the New Zealand Police Facebook page.

Best wishes to all involved!