Jubilation, pride and family were to the forefront of the most recent graduation, which saw 67 new constables ready to step into their districts on 1 June and continue their learning on the frontline.
Wing 395's future growth and development were themes of the speeches given at the 21 May graduation.
The Royal New Zealand Police College’s Director, Superintendent Sam Keats, spoke of the wing being shaped through their training and given “the building blocks for a bright and fulfilling career ahead.”
Deputy Commissioner Mike Pannett asked them to commit to a career of learning, saying they have much more to learn about themselves and their communities, “and much more to give and achieve” as they focus on being visible, reassuring and responsive.
Someone who has given much to the community is the wing’s patron, Heniaka August QSM (fondly known as ‘Nan’). Across decades Heniaka has been a dedicated Māori Warden in the Kāpiti-Mana and wider Wellington region.
She has served as the coordinator for the Ngāti Toa Māori Wardens in Porirua since 2009. Her leadership has been instrumental in major events such as Operation Gabrielle and Operation Convoy, and she has consistently supported the Royal New Zealand Police College, such as participating in sessions to help recruits better understand the diverse nature of our communities.
Patron Heniaka August shares her wisdom with the wing and their supporters.
Heniaka spoke of her admiration for the wing, describing them as “one big happy family.”
“I’ve seen you all gel as one people, you’ve all made friends, you’ve all been good to one another.”
She advised the wing to remember they are part of the community they are serving.
“When you’re out on the street you’re just a normal person... you’ve just got that blue uniform on, and please respect our people no matter what race they are and listen to their stories before you do anything harsh.”
Leadership Award winner Constable Scott Pointon (Ngāti Tūwharetoa – Central) said they couldn’t have asked for a better role model than they found in their patron – “we listened and we hung off every word she said as she shared her story, her wisdom, from years of serving our communities”.
“Here we are today at our new start line,” he said.
Right from their first weeks of training, Scott said he knew it would be “an awesome journey, full of laughter and joy, and plenty of memories that will last a life time...
“We did it!”
“This is a special group – we run towards the challenges, we don’t shy away when things get tough, we stick together, we persevere and we win.”
Leadership Award recipient Constable Scott Pointon.
Before joining Police Scott worked for a large courier, shipping and transportation company managing contractors and operations.
He first thought about joining Police as an 18-year-old, but held off to gain life experience “to ensure I was ready and well equipped to succeed in such an important role in the community”.
Nearly 20 years later he was reminded of that aspiration when an ad appeared on his social media feed.
“I felt ready to take the step after gaining some great life experience from getting married, having children, trying different jobs, building new skills, coaching sport and much more!”
Constable Sophie Wood (Auckland City), pictured right, received the Minister’s Award for first in wing and says the training experience was a welcome challenge.
“I would be lying if I said it was easy or straightforward! It has been a true test of resilience and determination.
“The best part for me has been the amazing connections and friendships I've made during my time here.”
Sophie’s motivation to join Police came as a result of overseas travel while she was completing her two Bachelor’s degrees (in Science and Commerce) – and seeing people sleeping rough and looking through rubbish bins for food. Back home, she began to notice similar issues.
“I decided that the road my degrees would lead me down wouldn’t do anything to help these people. That was when I decided that I wanted to dedicate my time to helping people and protecting their rights to be safe and healthy.”
Lining up in front of an audience is familiar stuff for Constable Tom Maiava (Wellington), who has been a professional rugby player for Samoa 7s and Wellington Lions, and competed at the Paris Olympics in 2024 representing Samoa.
Tom says it was a long-held dream to wear the blue uniform, and sport and policing complement each other.
“Since I was a kid, I remember saying to myself one day I will be a police officer.
“Police accommodates sports very well in terms of similar aspects of both jobs, such as the teamwork, problem solving and hard work.
“The lessons and the people I have met at my time at the RNZPC has been nothing short of amazing. I believe the physical aspect of playing professional rugby has helped me to persevere, stay resilient and build on my individual character to prepare me for the big world of policing.”
A full life of adventure and service is just about to get even fuller for Constable Paul Moran (Bay of Plenty).
Originally from the United Kingdom, Paul has been a Royal Marine – and has trained in the jungle and the Arctic – and a professional firefighter. He says those experiences particularly helped him with the firearms and driver training, and adapting to the training environment.
“Being one of the older recruits, I’ve also been able to draw on a lot of life experience throughout training, and I hope that will continue to benefit me once I get to district.
“I’m extremely grateful for the life and opportunities New Zealand has given me and my family as immigrants, and I want to make a positive difference and help keep New Zealand safe.
“I’ve always been driven by a desire to help people in need, and I feel policing gives me the greatest opportunity to do that.”
Paul sees future opportunities for his skill set in the Armed Offenders Squad or as a dog handler.
A number of the new constables have followed family members into Police, such as Constable Jack Ware (Waitematā), a third-generation police officer.
His grandfather is retired Senior Constable William (Barry) Ware – who graduated in Wing 10 and was one of Police’s first community constables – and his father is Sergeant Colin Ware, a graduate of Wing 129 and current Air Support Unit (Eagle) Supervisor.
Help is at hand - father Colin at left and grandfather Barry at right change Jack's epaulettes.
Jack spent eight years as a builder, but joining Police was always the goal.
“My main reason for wanting to become a police officer was to help people and to make a difference in my community by making it a safer place.
“The empathetic and caring nature of the job is something that resonates with me, as this is a value that is at the forefront of my Dad’s and Grandad’s practice and something I hope to carry with me as I go on jobs.
“I feel extremely grateful to be able to carry on the service and take with me the skills and beliefs my family has passed down to me.”
Jack hopes to one day join the Eagle team, just like his father.
Like some other wing members, Constables Dan Bull and Harsheen Taunk (both posted to Counties Manukau and pictured, above) have made the move from Police employee to officer. Both were previously employed as dispatchers in the Northern Emergency Police Comms Centre.
In 2022 Harsheen founded her own cultural bhangra team in Auckland where she runs weekly community classes and leads the dance team in competitions across New Zealand and internationally.
Dan has followed both his mum and dad into Police. His parents, Detective Sergeant Kathryn Bull and Detective Senior Sergeant Richard Bull, are detectives in CIB in Tāmaki Makaurau.
More about Wing 395
Awards
- Minister’s Award for First in Wing – Constable Sophie Wood (Auckland City)
- Patron’s Award for Second in Wing – Constable Daniel Stockton (Counties Manukau)
- Commissioner’s Award for Leadership and Firearms Award – Constable Scott Pointon (Central)
- Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award – Constable Roelien du Plessis (Waikato)
- Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award – Constable Jacobus Geyser (Wellington)
Award winners, left to right, Constables Roelien du Plessis, Sophie Wood, Scott Pointon, Jacobus Geyser and Daniel Stockton.
Deployment
Waitematā - 3; Auckland City - 11; Counties Manukau - 13; Waikato - 5; Bay of Plenty - 7; Eastern - 6; Central - 5; Wellington - 12; Canterbury – 1; Southern - 4.
Wing members started in their districts on Monday 1 June.
Demographics
The wing was 29.4% female and 70.6% male. Members identified as NZ European (73.5%); Māori (7.4%); Pasifika (2.9%); Asian (14.7%) and Latin American, African and Middle Eastern (1.5%).
The graduates’ ages range from 18 to 46.
The Patron
Heniaka August QSM (Ngāti Kahungungu Ki Te Wairoa, Rongomaiwahine) has for decades dedicated herself to serving her community as a Māori Warden in the Kāpiti-Mana and wider Wellington region.
She has served as the coordinator for the Ngāti Toa Māori Wardens in Porirua since 2009. Her leadership has been instrumental in major events such as Operation Gabrielle and Operation Convoy, and she has consistently supported the Royal New Zealand Police College during tangi, Remembrance Days, Police Recruit Graduations, and Open Days.
Affectionately known at ‘Nan’, Heniaka’s ability to walk comfortably among diverse communities, treating all with respect and dignity, has earned her deep trust and admiration from Police and the public alike.
Over many years she has helped our recruits better understand the diverse nature of our communities, and currently participates in Tuia – Valuing Communities sessions where recruits have the opportunity to engage with and learn from her.
Heniaka is also a mentor for the Porirua Pacific Community Patrollers, helping patrol members navigate community engagement safely and effectively. In addition to this, Heniaka is a member of a Te Pae Oranga Iwi Community Panel and is a kaikaranga at Horouta Marae.
In 2018, Heniaka was named one of Porirua’s 25 Influential Wāhine by Porirua City Council, received a Wellington City Council Award in 2021, and was honoured with a Queen’s Service Medal in 2024 for services to Māori and the community.