Our brilliant day

Thank you to everyone who came along to cheer us on as we paraded through Wellington to celebrate the 75th aniversary of the first female recruits joining New Zealand Police.

The parade from Civic Square to Parliament was the culmination of the relays which set off from Cape Reinga and Bluff on 24 June, passing through each of the 12 Police Districts on their way to the capital.

The torches carried by the northern and southern legs of the relay were ceremonially joined on the steps of Parliament to form one taonga.

The parade featured hundreds of constabulary and non-constabulary Police staff from around the country - some in vintage uniforms - and a large contingent of retired female staff members. The walkers were supported by the New Zealand Police Pipe band, by horses and vintage police vehicles - and a contingent of police dogs and puppies that charmed spectators along the route. 

At the head of the parade were 94-year-old Marie Storey - who joined Police in 1943 - and Constable Melissa Curtis, a recent recruit to Wellington District. Police Commissioner Mike Bush and Police Minister Judith Collins accompanied the parade and addressed the gathered throng beneath surprisingly sunny skies at Parliament.

It was, Commissioner Bush said, a brilliant day for Police - and here a few photos of the day we said 'Thank you' to the generations of women who have done so much for Police and policing in New Zealand.