Thursday, 3 December 2020 - 4:06pm

The first of many memories at new Porirua Police hub

3 min read

News article photos (5 items)

Janey Edwards, Te Rerehua Nichols, Roena McCarthy and Hinemoa Metekingi, from Ngāti Toa Rangatira Iwi, supported the proceedings
The Porirua Police Hub at 19 Heriot Drive.
Staff gather for the blessing of the new site.
Dr Taku Parai of Ngāti Toa Rangatira Iwi commenced the blessing.
Police staff joined in singing the waiata at the blessing ceremony.

Mā ō koutou tīpuna e whakapai i te ara i mua
May your ancestors make safe the pathway in front of you

Ahead of staff moving into the new Porirua Police Hub, local Police staff gathered at the new premises on Heriot Drive on Thursday (3 December) as Ngāti Toa Rangatira Iwi conducted a blessing in line with traditional protocols.

Dr Taku Parai commenced the blessing and acknowledged the important partnership which exists between Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Police.

To reflect this close connection with mana whenua, Ngāti Toa Rangatira gifted Police the names of seven rooms in the new hub:

  • Whakatau Mai (Reception)                                
  • Te Wāhi Hapori (Community room)
  • Taua Nei Kōrero (Interview rooms)                
  • Kai Tāhi (Cafeteria)
  • Rautaki Kōrero (Major operation room)                  
  • Te Wāhi Whakataa (Wellness room)
  • Kāpiti ki Pōneke (Executive meeting room)

Staff followed Dr Parai as he moved through each room. Those present were invited to touch walls and slide hands across furnishings to bring personal warmth and saturate their new workspace with a positive wairua.

Kāpiti-Mana Area Commander Inspector Tracey Thompson thanked Ngāti Toa Rangatira for blessing the new hub and expressed gratitude for the treasured names given to Police. These will serve as a reminder of the wider community Police not only serve, but are a part of.  

When word went out that Porirua staff were on the move, many current and former staff reached out to share their fond memories of the old Hagley St station. The emotional connection people have built with the station over the years will continue to be cherished. The legacy of service and close connection to the community will remain.

Inspector Thompson says this morning’s blessing ceremony was an important part of the transition process. It was an opportunity to acknowledge the history and place we have come from, and to define the wairua of the new workplace as one of safety and service.

“This is a place where our people can come in and feel safe, and be proud of the building that they work in. This is our whare. This is our home. This is our place.

“For our community and for our manuhiri, this is a place of welcome. Irrespective of the circumstances in which people come into our whare, we will look after them and keep them safe – this is our pledge to everyone here and to the local community.

“It’s been a journey to get to where we are today, and we are beyond excited to have a new, modern local policing hub, not just for us but for the community as well. Today is the first of many new memories which will be created in this place,” Inspector Thompson said.

The ceremony concluded with shared kai.

After 54 years based at Hagley St, Porirua-based Police will move into the new premises from Friday 4 December.  The Porirua Police Hub will be fully operational and open to the public from Monday 7 December 2020.

While relocation takes place, members of the public will be unable to access front counter services at the old Police station. Walk-in services are available at Wellington Central Station and Lower Hutt during this time.

Aside from the closure of the old station, there will be no noticeable change to local police service levels. Frontline staff will still be responding to emergency calls, conducting reassurance patrols and business as usual.

The official opening of the Porirua Police Hub will be held early in the New Year.