Iwi liaison officers

Translate into Māori

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 (District)
Inspector Riki Whiu (relieving)

Far North

Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Constable Roger Dephoff (relieving)

Mid North

Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Senior Constable Paul Tipene

Whangarei

Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Senior Constable Mario Kake

Kaipara

Kaitakawaenga - Iwi Liaison Officer
‎Senior Constable Phil Kahotea

 

Waitematā District

Pouwhirinaki – Māori Responsiveness Manager (District)
Inspector Todd Bartlett

Pouwhakarite - Māori Responsiveness Co-ordinator
Acting Senior Sergeant Simon Brown

Waitematā West

Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liaison Officer
Constable Joseph Wheoki

Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liaison Officer
Senior Constable William (Wane) Wharerau

Waitematā East

Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liaison Officer
Senior Constable Debra Brewer

 

Auckland City District

Pouwhirinaki – Māori Responsiveness Manager (District)
Senior Sergeant Ivan Sarich

Māori Responsiveness Advisor
Sergeant Tama Morehu

Pouwhakataki - Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Tracey Sarich

Kaitakawaenga - Iwi Liaison Officer
Senior Constable Adam King

 

Counties Manukau District

Pouwhirinaki – Māori Responsiveness Manager
Inspector Gaylene Rice

Pouwhakarite - Māori Responsiveness Co-ordinator
Acting Senior Sergeant Charlotte Martin

The Pouwhakataki – Iwi Liaison Co-ordinator
Acting Sergeant Zac Conroy

Kaitakawaenga - Iwi Liaison Officer
Constable Merihera Tipene

Kaitakawaenga - Iwi Liaison Officer
Detective Casey Morrison

Pouwhakataki - Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Services
Senior Sergeant Charlotte Martin

 

Waikato District

Pouwhirinaki – Māori Responsiveness Manager (District)
Inspector Frank Grant

Hauraki (Thames Coromandel in Waikato East Area)
Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Senior Constable Arama Chase

Maniapoto and Raukawa (Te Awamutu to Piopio in Waikato West Area)
Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Senior Constable Steven Rickards

Waikato Tainui (Raglan to Te Kauwhata in Waikato West Area)
Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Destry Murphy – Waikato Tainui

Hamilton City and District Recruiting
Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Kimiora Corness

Matamata Piako in Waikato East Area
Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Ben Muriwai- Ngati Haua

 

Bay of Plenty District

Pouwhirinaki – Māori Responsiveness Manager (District) (Relieving)
Inspector Chris Summerville

Rotorua

Pouwhakataki – Iwi Liaison Officer
Sergeant Lehi Hohaia

Whakatane

Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Joshua Kalan

Tauranga

Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Officer
Sergeant Greg Clark

Taupo/Tokoroa

Pouwhakataki – Iwi Liaison Officer
Sergeant Bill Asher

Pouwhakataki - Gang & Drug Harm Reduction Coordinator (District)
Acting Sergeant Edward "Timo" Gardiner

Kaitakawaenga - Gang & Drug Harm Reduction Officer (Eastern Bay of Plenty)
Constable Don Te Maipi

Kaitakawaenga - Gang & Drug Harm Reduction Officer (Western Bay of Plenty)
Constable Craig Collier

 

Eastern District

Pouwhirinaki – Māori Responsiveness Manager (District)
Inspector Damin Ormsby

Hawke’s Bay

Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Philip Rowden

Tairāwhiti

Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Robert Rutene

Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liaison Officer
Senior Constable Jamie Hutana

Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liaison Officer
Constable Yvonne Tremain

 

Central District

Pouwhirinaki – Māori Responsiveness Manager (District)
Inspector Clifford Brown

Taranaki

Pouwhakarite – Māori Responsiveness Advisor
Senior Sergeant Darin Haenga

Pouwhakataki: Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Kayanna Holley

Whanganui

Pouwhakataki: Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Katrina Moore

Pouwhakataki: Iwi Liasion Coordinator
Constable Anna Reti

Manawatu

Pouwhakataki: Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Nick Lawton

Pouwhakataki: Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Senior Constable Terry Moore

 

Wellington District

Pouwhirinaki, Māori Responsiveness Manager (District)
Inspector Rob Rutene

Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Asher Hauwaho

Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Te Roera Puna

Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Joseph Harwood

Pouwhakataki, Iwi Liaison Coordinator
Sergeant Aroha Morehu

 

Tasman District

Pouwhirinaki, Māori Responsiveness Manager (District)
Inspector Tracey Wharehoka

Pouwhakataki: Iwi Liaison Coordinator & Supported Resolutions Coordinator
Sergeant Steve Mariu

Pouwhakataki: Iwi Liaison Coordinator - Nelson area
Constable James Masters

  

Canterbury District

Pouwhirinaki –Manager: Māori, Pacific & Ethnic (District)
Inspector Hirone Waretini

Pouwhakarite – Māori Responsiveness Advisor (District)
Senior Sergeant Paul Reeves

Kaitakawaenga – Iwi Liasion Officer
Constable Peter Rameka

 

Southern District

Pouwhirinaki, Māori Responsiveness Manager (District)
Inspector Damion Rangitutia

Otago Coastal

Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Senior Constable Toni Wall

Southland / Otago Lakes

Kaitakawaenga, Iwi Liaison Officer
Constable Simon Kairau