Under the cover of darkness, a Police operation of a different kind got underway – operation new police station.
On the morning of Monday 12 November, residents of the Waikato town of Ngaruawahia awoke to find a new police station had appeared overnight.
The brand new station will be officially opened tomorrow morning by the Minister of Police Stuart Nash and Police Commissioner Mike Bush, with guests including representatives of King Tuheitia, Ngaruawahia Mayor Allan Sanson and the Hon. Nanaia Mahuta.
The old police station was built in the late 1950’s and though it served the community well, after 60 years it was time for a building that was more fit for purpose, so the old station was deconstructed.
“The new station was built in Hastings and is 19 by 7 metres. The truck picked the station up from the builder’s depot and transported in one piece to its new position,” says Inspector Andrew Mortimore, Waikato Western Police.
The new building will be known as the Ngaruawahia Community Policing Centre and can be found in the same place as the old one, on the corner of Jesmond and Market Streets.
“The station will be open from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday. This station will be the base for our community, youth and road policing staff, and we’re looking forward to providing an enhanced service to the people of Ngaruawahia,” says Inspector Mortimore.
But it’s not all out with the old and in with the new – precious carvings made by local iwi that graced the foyer of the former building were preserved prior to its deconstruction, and these restored carvings will be reinstated into the new building ahead of the official opening.
The new station is part of a programme of work Police is undertaking to modernise its property portfolio to extend its presence within communities, improve access to Police services, and provide a better workplace for our staff and visitors.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
MEDIA ADVISORY: Media are invited to the opening event which starts at 9:00am on Tuesday 18 December. If you plan to attend please RSVP by emailing: media@police.govt.nz.