Preventing unlawful hunting post cyclone in Hawke’s Bay was the focus of a combined night patrol in the region.
Concerns about poaching were highlighted at a recent three-day cyclone recovery workshop attended by a range of agencies and community organisations, including Fish and Game, Department of Conservation, Ministry of Primary Industries, local councils and local community leaders.
Rural Community Relations Supervisor Sergeant Anaru Graham says the workshop was an opportunity to discuss what everybody has been through, what’s working well since the cyclone, and what is needed moving forward.
“The workshop highlighted that some existing issues that rural communities deal with have been compounded post-cyclone and that included unlawful hunting,” says Anaru.
He says to help reassure rural communities, Police organised a combined night patrol with the intention of preventing unlawful hunting in targeted remote areas.
“The team collaborated with a forestry block manager and patrolled a specified area, stopping and speaking with everyone moving through. The feedback was positive, with the public pleased to see a Police presence.”
There was also a positive outcome for this ruru, seen here with Senior Constable Pat O'Leary. After being rescued from the middle of the road during the operation, it flew away unharmed.
He says by the end of the night the team had spoken with numerous local residents, stock agents, workers and Department of Conservation (DOC) permitted hunters, helping to spread the word that Police are out actively looking for unlawful hunters.
Police identified one unlawful hunter during the night - enquiries are continuing.
“This was the first combined team patrol," says Anaru. "There were lots of learnings and everyone is keen to do more, with the intention of linking in our sole-charge stations and more of our key stakeholders."
Cyclone Gabrielle Hawke’s Bay Recovery Lead Acting Inspector Caroline Martin says a real focus for Police is connecting with our local communities.
She says what they have learnt from the response to Cyclone Gabrielle is that it is vital to know local communities and understand their needs.
“Our communities know what’s going on and know their local needs better than any of us," says Caroline. "So it’s important we work with them to come up with solutions together to support them through the recovery.”