Police have a group of iwi liaison officers who play an important role in navigating cultural issues and working on improving police relationships with Māori.
The group is made up of police officers and police employees, based in every police district in the country.
Iwi liaison officers are involved in:
- giving advice on cultural issues, such as helping both sides understand the procedures and protocols of the other when a sudden death happens
- helping local police work with iwi and whānau on preventing crime, crashes and victimisation
- providing leadership for special events such as Waitangi Day and Māori cultural events
- dealing with the cultural aspects of major incidents like the Canterbury earthquakes
- helping with major criminal investigations involving Māori.
Becoming an Iwi Liaison Officer is a rewarding and satisfying way of serving Māori and the wider community.
Iwi Liaison Officers are key in building positive relationships and partnerships with Māori.
Iwi Liaison Officers help support Police’ commitment to the treaty and the delivery of Police’s goals: Safe Homes - free from crime and victimisation; Safe Roads - preventing deaths and injury with our partners; Safe Communities - people are safe wherever they live, work and visit.
To become an Iwi Liaison Officer
- You can either apply to join Police and become a police officer. This will allow you to choose a career path including the option of becoming an Iwi Liaison Officer that has an understanding and knowledge of policing. Please visit the New Cops website for more information.
- You can also join Police as a civilian employee. You will learn what you need to know about policing from training and on the job. See the Police Jobs pages for any vacancies.
Having the knowledge and understanding of Te Reo and Tikanga Māori is an advantage as this will help you in building strong relationships with our Māori, Iwi and Whānau. Other requirements include a police vetting check and a children work security check may be needed.
Contact details of iwi liaison officers
Northland District
Pouwhirinaki – Māori Responsiveness Manager (Acting)
Inspector Justin Rogers
Far North
Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Sergeant Wirihana Roberts
Mid North
Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Sergeant Roger Dephoff
Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Senior Constable Paul Tipene
Dargaville
Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Sergeant William Paki
Waitematā District
Pouwhirinaki – Māori Responsiveness Manager
Inspector Todd Bartlett
Pouwhakarite - Māori Responsiveness Advisor
Senior Sergeant Mihi Butler
Waitematā North
Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liaison Officer
Detective Debra Brewer
North Shore
Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liaison Officer
Constable Joseph Wheoki
Henderson
Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liaison Officer
Constable Adrian Hubbard
Auckland City District
Pouwhirinaki – Māori Responsiveness Manager
Inspector Ivan Sarich
Pouwhakarite - Māori Responsiveness Advisor
Senior Sergeant Boycie Nelson
Pouwhakataki - Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Tama Morehu
Kaitakawaenga - Iwi Liaison Officer
Sergeant Tracey Sarich
Kaitakawaenga - Iwi Liaison Officer
Senior Constable Adam King
Kaitakawaenga - Iwi Liaison Officer
Constable Hope Daniels
Counties Manukau District
Pouwhirinaki – Māori Responsiveness Manager
Inspector Gaylene Rice
Pouwhakataki – Iwi Liaison Co-ordinator
Sergeant Casey Morrison
Kaitakawaenga - Iwi Liaison Officer
Acting Sergeant Zac Conroy
Pouwhakataki - Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Services
Senior Sergeant Charlotte Martin
Waikato District
Pouwhirinaki – Māori Responsiveness Manager
Inspector William Cuthers
Pouwhakataki – Iwi Liaison Co-ordinator
Kimiora Corness
Waikato West
Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Destry Murphy
Hauraki
Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Senior Constable Arama Chase
Bay of Plenty District
Pouwhirinaki – Māori Responsiveness Manager (Acting)
Inspector Joseph Cairns
Rotorua
Pouwhakataki – Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Lehi Hohaia
Whakatane
Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Andew Biddle
Tauranga
Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Greg Clark
Taupo
Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Jamien Pereto
Eastern District
Pouwhirinaki – Māori Responsiveness Manager
Inspector Damin Ormsby
Pouwhakarite - Māori Responsiveness Advisor
Senior Sergeant John Tangaere
Hawke’s Bay
Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Philip Rowden
Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liaison Officer
Constable Yvonne Tremain
Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liaison Officer
Constable Lee-Ann Mainwaring
Tairāwhiti
Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant William Tamatea
Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liaison Officer
Senior Constable Jamie Hutana
Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liaison Officer
Constable Mark Atkins
Central District
Pouwhirinaki – Māori Responsiveness Manager
Inspector Clifford Brown
New Plymouth
Pouwhakarite – Māori Responsiveness Advisor
Senior Sergeant Geoff Ryan
Taranaki
Pouwhakataki: Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Kayanna Holley
Whanganui/Ruapehu
Pouwhakataki: Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Anna Reti
Pouwhakataki: Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Peta Pehi
Manawatu
Pouwhakataki: Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Murray Hewson
Taranaki North
Pouwhakataki: Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Brad Huntley
Wellington District
Pouwhirinaki, Māori Responsiveness Manager (Acting)
Asher Hauwaho
Pouwhakarite – Māori Responsiveness Advisor (Acting)
Te Roera Puna
Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Aroha Morehu
Hutt Valley
Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Rasau Kalivati
Wairarapa
Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Nathan Riwai-Couch
Tasman District
Pouwhirinaki, Māori Responsiveness Manager
Inspector Tracey Wharehoka
Nelson
Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liasion Officer
Constable James Masters
Marlborough
Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Steve Mariu
West Coast
Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liasion Officer
Constable Cheyenne Taurima
Canterbury District
Pouwhirinaki, Māori Responsiveness Manager (Acting)
Senior Sergeant John Daunton
Pouwhakarite – Māori Responsiveness Advisor (Acting)
Sergeant Traecy Puhipuhi
Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Steve Sula
Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liasion Officer
Senior Constable Bryan Dewes
Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liasion Officer
Constable Isaac Kingi
Southern District
Pouwhirinaki, Māori Responsiveness Manager
Senior Sergeant Simon Kairau (secondment)
Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Justine Bishop
Otago Coastal
Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Ed Baker
Waihopai
Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Senior Constable Toni Wall
Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Constable Jessy Raukawa
Otakau Central
Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Constable Peter Rameka