A reminder that the special parade to celebrate 75 Years of Women in Policing will take place in central Wellington tomorrow.
The parade, led by Commissioner Mike Bush, Minister of Police Judith Collins and victims’ advocate and NZ Police wing patron Louise Nicholas, will feature around 800 police officers and police staff from across the country, retired staff, the NZ Police Pipe Band, women dressed in replica uniforms from across the decades, police dogs, puppies, old style police cars and much more.
The event is a culmination of a national torch relay which began its tour of the country from Cape Reinga and Bluff on June 24. Since then the relay has passed through all twelve Police Districts, travelling down the North Island and up the South island and involving many staff and the communities in which they serve.
The two halves of the torch will be joined together as one and carried in the national parade by one of the first women police officers in New Zealand, Marie Storey, who joined in 1943, and one of our newest women recruits.
The parade will start from Civic Square at 12:15pm and will travel down Mercer Street, onto Willis Street then down Lambton Quay to Parliament, where it will be welcomed by the NZ Police Kapa Haka group.
We’d love for people to come along and enjoy the parade.
The public are also advised that some road closures will be in place in the central city for the parade from approximately 12:10pm to 1pm.
Delays are likely, we advise people travelling in the city at this time to plan ahead and thank people in advance for their patience. During this time buses will also be diverted on different routes.
ENDS
Note for media:
Media are welcome to attend at any part of the event. Footage of the parade will be available after the event if requested.
Police past and present staff will start assembling at Civic Square from 11:30am.
Police Minister Judith Collins and Police Commissioner Mike Bush will speak at Parliament after the parade group has arrived and been welcomed by the Kapa Haka group between 12:45-1pm.
Retired and current staff and their friends and families will be in attendance at a light lunch at Wellington Cathedral from 1:15pm onwards.
If you would like to arrange an interview or make an enquiry about the event please contact Philippa Ormrod, media advisor, Philippa.ormrod@police.govt.nz / 021 819 839.
A run down with more details about the parade order and participants is available upon request.
Issued by Police Media Centre