The thin blue, pink and yellow line

It’s the time of year when policing can take a colourful turn.

Constable Rob Stanton, Auckland City Ethnic Liaison Officer, found himself to be something of a target – in a good way - as revellers gathered in Three Kings Park to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colours.

The festival marks the arrival of the northern spring. Revellers traditionally scatter coloured powder on all and sundry – and a blue uniform is unlikely to stay that way for long.

“I think I had hundreds of people wanting to add a bit of colour and have their photo taken with me,” says Rob. “Fortunately I had a handful of colour myself and was able to get my own back.”

He says the celebration - organised by Auckland radio station HummFM – was a truly international affair.

“It certainly wasn’t just for the Indian community,” he says. “I met Israelis, Brazilians, Japanese students, Kiwis, Brits – all sorts of people, having a great time.”