With a promise of a new approach and with customary passion and positivity, the recruits of Wing 355 last week graduated as constables.
The wing has the highest proportion of wāhine Māori among its 70 members, with 24 women acknowledging their Māori whakapapa.
The significance was not lost on Wing Patron Arihia Stirling QSM, principal of Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae in Mangere and a member of the Commissioner’s Māori Focus Forum.
Stepping off the dais to speak – “to stand beside you, not in front of you” – she praised the recruitment approach which led to diversity in gender, ethnicity and age.
Beside you, not in front of you - Arihia Stirling QSM addresses the wing.
She said she would leave the wing with her school motto: Ina te mahi, he rangatira – By their deeds, a chief is known.
“Wear it with pride and use it when you talk to people - it really is by your deeds that you will be known.”
Speaking for the wing, Leadership Award-winner Constable Alfred Houghton (Waikato) thanked Arihia “who has inspired us to succeed and be the best we can”.
“Wing 355 brings diversity, wāhine toa and, most importantly, a new approach to policing,” he said.
“We have committed to the New Zealand people in a manner that upholds the values and mana of New Zealand Police, ensuring we stay primed in all interactions.”
Also speaking were Commissioner Andrew Coster, Director of Training Superintendent Warwick Morehu and Defence Minister Peeni Henare, standing in for Police Minister Chris Hipkins with a vow to not steal anyone for NZDF.
Wing members brought a diversity of backgrounds, interests, languages and family connections.
Constable Sophia Herewini (Counties Manukau) was inspired by her uncle in Police, and by manaakitanga instilled in her by her grandparents.
“Being a police officer will be such a rewarding job, especially because I’m able to help others and keep my community safe,” she says.
“From a young age, seeing my uncle in his uniform and hearing all his stories really sparked my interest in becoming a police officer.”
Constables Leanne Thompson and Taylor Waenga.
Constable Taylor Waenga (Northland) was back at Te Rauparaha Arena – where he graduated with Wing 353 in May – to see his sister Constable Leanne Thompson (Waitematā) graduate.
“We inspired each other,” says Leanne. “We’ve had the same dream for such a long time and both had our struggles… We live in different parts of the country but still found a way to support each other through video calls.”
She says she benefited from two pre-courses - the first Mana Wāhine group, based in Counties Manukau, and a Unitec Course in central Auckland.
Her advice to anyone with doubts about their ability: “Mauria te pono - believe in yourself”.
The wāhine of Wing 355...
Firearms Award-winner Constable Chanya-Rose Ruka (Bay of Plenty) is proud to be the first in her whānau to join Police.
“I’m privileged to have been working alongside such incredible people at the Royal New Zealand Police College. It has created a foundation of learning for me and I’m excited for the journey ahead.”
Constable Renee Gray (Te Aitanga a Hauiti iwi, Eastern District) was a therapeutic care worker, aided by an understanding of trauma arising from her sister’s death in a car crash.
“I want to show everyone, especially in my own whānau, that we can be positive role models. We can improve the wellbeing of our tamariki to build a stronger future for them.”
Leadership Award-winner Alfred Houghton long dreamed of joining Police but had a few other roles en route – chef, member of champion kapa haka roopu Te Matarae i o rehu, and even touring with the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
“The reason I’m here is because it's been a lifelong goal, but I’m also here for my family and to show them that dreams do come true, and you should not give up on what you want.”
... and the tane.
First in Wing Constable Lucy Bean (Auckland) also had diverse jobs pre-Police - athletics coaching, investment banking, nannying, working in a bakery and a Chinese savoury crepe stall, to name a few.
“I’ve always known I wanted to become a cop. Because of this I thought it would be best to have fun and try my hand at as many various jobs as I could before I started at Police College.”
Constable Michael Stewart (Canterbury) is no stranger to uniforms, having spent 16 years in the New Zealand Army at home and overseas, in the infantry and as a military firefighter.
“One aspect that appealed is that, though it can be reactive and when bad things happen police are there to jump in, policing is also very proactive - a lot of it is about getting ahead of the curve.”
Constable Scott Boyer with son Theo and dad Jon.
If there was an award for ‘best surprise’, it would have gone to Constable Scott Boyer (Wellington). Plotting went on behind his back to help his father Jon get from London for the graduation without Scott’s knowledge.
“I found out half an hour before we started,” says Scott. “I walked into the room and he was hiding round the corner.
“It was amazing. It’s been about three years since we saw each other.”
For Jon, it was arrive Sunday, flight home Saturday, back in the office Monday. “It’s no hardship,” he says. “It’s great to have the opportunity to be here and celebrate.”
The graduation concluded with the Police haka Ko Te Uru Pounamu, with wāhine toa to the fore. Then came a special moment for Constable Jacob Collins (Waikato), as his brother Parekura stepped out of the audience and approached.
He knelt and presented Jacob with a mere pounamu, carved from rare pakohe greenstone and gifted by Tairāwhiti carver Nick Tupara. The other mere carved from the same piece of stone was gifted to the Sioux Nation to commemorate the Native American-led protests at Standing Rock in North Dakota, US.
“The mere represents protection and leadership of one’s people, in my case Māori,” says Jacob. “They’re qualities my people see in me and trust me to demonstrate in my role as a constable.”
Award winners
Minister’s Award for First in Wing: Constable Lucy Bean (Auckland City District)
Commissioner’s Award for Leadership: Constable Alfred Houghton (Waikato)
Patron’s Award for Second in Wing: Constable Benjamin Sullivan (Waitematā)
Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award: Constable Alfred Houghton (Waikato)
Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award: Constable Holly Borrie (Bay of Plenty)
Firearms Award: Constable Chanya-Rose Ruka (Bay of Plenty)
Wing demographics
Of the 70 graduates, 33 are female (47.1 percent); and 38 male (52.9 percent).
Recruits identify as NZ European (44, 62 percent); Māori (30, 42.3 percent); Pacific (7, 9.9 percent); Asian (7, 9.9 percent); and LAAM (2, 2.8 percent). Note - some identify as more than one ethnicity.
The youngest member is 19 and the eldest is 43.
District postings
Northland – 1; Auckland City – 8; Counties Manukau – 11; Waitematā – 9; Waikato – 7; Bay of Plenty – 5; Eastern – 3; Central – 7; Wellington – 7; Tasman – 3; Canterbury – 7; Southern – 2