A special parade will take place in central Wellington next Monday the 1st of August to celebrate 75 Years of Women in Policing.
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 75th Anniversary of Women in Policing is a national celebration to acknowledge retired and current women staff who have been an integral part in shaping New Zealand Police into the organisation it is today.
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.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush says a parade is a fitting way to end the national relay and an opportunity for the public to join in the celebrations.
“Seventy five years is a significant milestone and I will be immensely proud to walk alongside just some of the many fantastic police staff, both men and women from around New Zealand.
“Over the last couple of months many staff have been engaging with their communities in activities to mark the 75th anniversary, they are passionate advocates for police and have showcased police as a great career choice for women.
I know we will recruit even more capable women into our organisation in the future,” says Commissioner Bush.
The New Zealand Police invite retired staff who would like to participate in the Parade to join them at Civic Square at 11:30am. They also invite the public and family and friends of police staff to come along on Monday and enjoy the parade.
The public are also advised that road closures will be in place for the parade and some traffic delays are likely.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Note for media:
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.
Media are welcome to attend at any part of the event.
For further information about the relay or the 75th Anniversary www.police.govt.nz/about-us/75-years-women-police
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.