The 62 graduates of Recruit Wing 366 start work in district this week, bringing their skills and diverse life experiences to frontline policing.
The wing left initial training on 1 June, celebrating with whānau and friends at their attestation and graduation ceremony at Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua.
Their graduation took Police past the milestone of 1800 new constabulary staff promised by the Government, and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins was there to acknowledge the achievement.
Among others on the dais were Commissioner Andrew Coster, Police Minister Ginny Andersen and Wing Patron Keriana Brooking (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Pahauwera).
The speakers included, from left: Commissioner Andrew Coster, Wing Patron Keriana Brooking, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Leadership Award winner Constable Christopher Harrison.
The wing members’ diversity was a theme of Keriana’s speech.
“This fine group of graduates are a perfect mix of gender, age and ethnicity – born in New Zealand, or chose New Zealand, they are leaders already in sport, and culture, and armed forces, and volunteers,” she said.
“Wing 366 are book-smart, street-smart and can demonstrate how to mix theory and practice with care and humanity…
“Wing 366 – there will be days when you think ‘Well, that could have gone better’. At the end of those days, just remember you are more than enough.
“I congratulate you and I know your whānau and families will be extremely proud of you. I like to think there is no one prouder than me. And can I put it on record? I do think 366 is the best wing ever.”
The graduation was in Samoan Language week, and fittingly the winner of the Commissioner’s Award for Leadership, Constable Christopher Harrison (Auckland), has Samoan heritage.
He applied for Police immediately after leaving high school but was encouraged to get some life experience – 15 years later he’s thankful for that advice.
“I’ve had a passion for helping and protecting others since I was young and I am grateful to fulfil this dream now.”
In his graduation day speech, he thanked all family and friends. “We couldn’t do it without your ongoing support. Your sacrifice is not only for us but the community.”
The Minister’s Award for Top of Wing – designated the Prime Minister’s award on this occasion – went to Constable Edward White (Wellington).
He has a Bachelor of Science degree in the biomedical field and says his work experience at a hospital, a security firm, as a lifeguard and a volunteer for a charitable trust contributed to his achievement.
He says the training at the Royal New Zealand Police College was world class - inclusive, supportive and engaging.
“I want to especially thank all our wing sergeants for being there for us during the course,” he says.
“I’m honoured and proud to be graduating with some of the best people I’ve ever met, and I’m proud to be joining the New Zealand Police.”
In his address, Prime Minister Hipkins acknowledged that he was stealing Minister Andersen’s speaking spot, as his predecessor Jacinda Ardern had taken his at a graduation while he was Minister of Police.
He congratulated the wing members and acknowledged the 1800 achievement.
“As you take on the rank and office of constable, you have taken on an enormous responsibility and an enormous privilege…,” he told the wing.
“You’ll be trusted to listen, trust and support people – hold your values tight at all times.”
Constables Lindsey Osborne, Shane Gorst, Kuldeep Randhawa and Paula Hala.
Wing member Constable Lindsey Osborne (Waikato) was proud to graduate 60 years after her grandmother, a member of the 22 Wing at Trentham Camp. Constable Patricia Lee (WD – Women’s Division) was one of two women on the wing (click below for the women's note from the wing yearbook).
Horses figure large in Lindsey’s background. “I’ve had a career nearly 10 years in the film industry – training horses for film, also competing myself as well and coaching.
“I’ve been lucky to represent New Zealand a couple of times and coach for the New Zealand youth team... my new career is completely different.”
Another graduate with ancestral ties to Police is Constable Shane Gorst (Eastern), whose grandfather’s work features in the Police Museum exhibit on Operation Overdue.
Constable Robert Gorst, who served from 1954 to 1985, was a Police forensic photographer in Auckland and worked on the mortuary phase after the Erebus air disaster in 1979.
“It’s a proud day to be following my granddad’s footsteps...,” says Shane. “Equally, I think that if he was still here today, he would be proud of what Police has become.”
Constable Kuldeep Randhawa (Wellington) was a non-constabulary Police employee before donning the blue uniform. “I had the opportunity to join the firearms compliance team, and working with the Resolutions Team gave me an insight into how the police actually work which really motivated me as well.”
Former Tongan rugby sevens player Constable Paula Hala (Counties Manukau) thought he would miss the birth of his son through being at college, but the arrival happened during his trainee deployment to district.
“So today [graduation] is the second time that I get to see my new-born – I can’t wait to hold him, plus hug my other kids.
"It’s bittersweet - both of my parents passed away last year. I did make a promise to my father that I would become a police officer. Hopefully today would’ve made them very proud.”
Constables Kerry Hockley, Courtney Bates, Kelsi Walters, Ashlee Middleton, Annie Byrne, and Natasha Cowx-Chesnutt.
There was also a squad of female Wing 366 members with a sporting pedigree.
Among them is Constable Kerry Hockley (Wellington), who owned a competitive Aerobics Club, KHR Aerobics and Fitness, for 10 years and has also been involved in dog obedience and agility competitions. She also has prior connections in Police.
“I’ve got a lot of family friends who are constables, detectives, and seeing them do something different every single day and love their job and have these different challenges, that’s why I’m here.
“I want to even make at least one small positive change in someone’s life.”
Other sporty members include Constables Courtney Bates (Canterbury), coordinator for women’s South Canterbury Provincial Rugby Union; Kelsi Walters (Waikato), NZ elite rower; Ashlee Middleton (Southern), Otago representative in netball and basketball; Annie Byrne (Auckland), Eastern Auckland Suburbs premier women’s footballer; and Constable Natasha Cowx-Chesnutt (Auckland), national-level hockey player and coach.
Wing 366 in a nutshell
Awards
Prime Minister’s Award for First in Wing – Constable Edward White (Wellington)
Commissioner’s Award for Leadership – Constable Christopher Harrison (Auckland City)
Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award – Constable Madeleine Bartle (Wellington)
Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award – Constable Timothy Ten Hove (Canterbury)
Firearms Award – Constable Marc Thomas (Bay of Plenty)
Demographics
35.5 percent of the wing are female, and 64.5 percent male. New Zealand European make up 61.3 percent of the wing, with Māori 14.5 percent, Pacific 16.1 percent, Asian 4.8 percent and Latin American, African and Middle Eastern (LAAM/other) 3.2 percent.
Deployment
Northland – 2; Auckland City – 5; Counties Manukau – 8; Waitematā – 5; Waikato – 8; Bay of Plenty - 6; Eastern – 3; Central – 2; Wellington – 9; Tasman – 1; Canterbury – 4; Southern - 9.
The patron
Patron Keriana Brooking and her husband Jack.
Keriana Brooking (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Pahauwera), Partner in Hauora/Health Equity, Price Waterhouse Coopers New Zealand, firmly believes that everyone living in Aotearoa New Zealand should have the opportunity to live their best life.
She is passionate about helping people successfully determine, shape and deliver on their aspirations - and says it’s one of the greatest feelings in the world.
Keriana has more than 20 years’ experience in the public sector, most recently as interim National Director Commissioning of Te Whatu Ora, Health NZ. Before that, she had chief executive experience at Hawke’s Bay DHB, Turanganui Primary Health Organisation and as a Deputy Director General at Manatū Hauora, Ministry of Health. She took her current role at PwC New Zealand in October 2022.