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