For Napier Constable Casey Hales it’s been a whirlwind 12 months – becoming a World Champion in canoe polo, as well as graduating First in Wing from Police College and starting her policing career.
The 25-year-old is a member of the Paddle Ferns - New Zealand's Women’s Canoe Polo team that took out the World Championships in China in October last year. It's only the second time New Zealand has accomplished this feat. New Zealand first won the World Championship title eight years ago, in 2016.
Casey has also just returned from the World Games in China where the team came second – New Zealand’s best result at the Games. The World Games is the equivalent of the Olympics for non-Olympic sports, and takes place every four years.
After winning at the World Championships last year, Casey headed straight to Police College ready to put down her paddle and focus on her new role in Police, but that wasn’t to be.
“My plan was to take a break in 2025 and focus on starting my new career, but after coming off such a high and qualifying ourselves for the Games, I just couldn’t miss it,” she says.
So, she juggled Police College with her regular canoe polo training and competitions in Palmerston North, Hawkes Bay and Christchurch.
Casey managed the juggle like a pro, not only keeping up her training but also winning the award for First in Wing when she graduated in Wing 383 in April (pictured, right).
Just a few months into the job in Napier she was off to the World Games but, after returning with back-to-back results as part of New Zealand's most successful canoe polo team, Casey is finally ready to take that break from the international scene.
“I will keep playing nationally for my club team, but I’ll take some time away from the Paddle Ferns," she says.
"I aim to come back to it in a couple of years when the next World Games cycle ramps up and we could also potentially have World Champs hosted here in New Zealand. In the meantime, I am looking forward to having time to set goals for other events such as HYROX, marathons, and Ironman etc."
Despite her love of sport Casey always had her eye on a career in Police, but says she never had the confidence to join.
She went to university then worked as the Operations Manager at the Regional Sports Park in Hastings for a couple of years, but when her sister joined Police in 2023 the desire to also become a police officer was reignited.
“I live with my sister had her partner, so after a couple years of their policing career’s staring me in the face every day, they gave me the confidence and the push I needed to make the change, and I have no regrets.
"I love coming to work every day, I love learning something new every day, the people are amazing and I’m excited about the opportunities to come.”
As she settles into her policing career, Casey says her love for sport and living an active lifestyle is providing a great outlet away from work and a good work-life balance.