The Police staff torch relay to mark 75 Years of Women in Policing is on its way around New Zealand and it will arrive in Tairawhiti and Hawke’s Bay next week.
The two halves of the illuminated torch which represents the New Zealand Police tohu started a tour of the twelve Policing districts on 24th of June simultaneously in Cape Reinga and Bluff.
One half is travelling up the South Island and another is travelling down the North Island, stopping off for events in a number of towns and cities along the way.
A torch half arrives in Tairawhiti on July 18th and will be passed through the region by women Police staff carrying out an array of special activities before heading to Hawke’s Bay to do the same thing on July 22nd.
Eastern District Commander Superintendent Sandra Venables says this is a chance for the region to celebrate what New Zealand Police has achieved in encouraging diversity throughout the organisation.
“As a female police officer I am proud to stand alongside all the officers who serve their communities in the Eastern District to mark this significant milestone.”
On July 8th a breakfast was held in Hawke’s Bay to celebrate past, present and future women in Police.
Women from all areas of police attended with constabulary and non-constabulary staff celebrating the journey of women in Police together.
Guest speaker retired Assistant Police Commissioner Ian Holyoake and retired officers Aunty Jean and Grace Haden shared entertaining tales of humour and adversity from their time in Police.
The relay starts it’s time in the Eastern Police District on Tuesday July 19th when it will be welcomed into the Tairawhiti Rohe at Te Araroa. A powhiri and formal speeches are planned, followed by a morning tea with invited quests, staff and ex police members.
From there the torch will be taken to the East Cape and run up to the Lighthouse. There will be a short stop at Ruatoria Police Station, then it’s on to Tokomaru Bay Police Station where the torch will be carried on horse-back and ridden through the township. The torch will then be taken to the Tolaga Bay Wharf where it’ll be run to the end.
On Wednesday July 20th a breakfast will be held to celebrate the 75th occasion, with many ex members and dignitaries attending, there will be presentations from both current and ex members. Of particular note - the very first woman to be posted to Gisborne will be attending and presenting.
The torch will then be taken by Waka to the merging point of the three main rivers of Gisborne, recognising the convergence and establishment of many cultures in the region. Weather permitting all attendees will be driven to the top of Kaiti Hill for a group photo. The torch will then be taken to Wairoa.
On Thursday July 21st Wairoa Police are holding a sausage sizzle, free to the community, along the river by the lighthouse on Marine Parade from midday onwards.
Everyone is invited to join in this celebration that will; weather permitting; offer some entertainment that people of all ages can enjoy. The wet weather venue is the St Marks Presbyterian Church on Queen Street opposite the Wairoa Council.
On Friday July 22nd the torch half will be handed over from the Tairawhiti police team at Bay View. It will then be run along the coast to the Napier Sound Shell on the Marine Parade by police staff and members of their families. Once there the Napier Blue Light committee will provide a morning tea around 10:30am and the torch will be blessed by local iwi before speeches and photos. Public are welcome to attend.
From there it will travel in relay by foot, bike and horseback through orchards and local vineyards to the top of Te Mata Peak where photos will be taken at 1pm. The torch will then be abseiled off the peak into the valley below where the torch journey will continue by mountain bike into Havelock North.
The final torch hand over will be in Havelock North where runners and walkers will travel via cycle ways into the Hastings CBD to Albert Park where a number of static displays will be set up along with other service agencies including police recruiting, the Fire Service and Ambulance. A local Kapa Haka group will entertain guests while the Hastings Blue Light committee fire up their BBQ from 3pm onwards.
The following day the torch will make its way south to Waipawa and Waipukurau before heading to Dannevirke.
Police invite any retired staff interested in participating in any of these events to attend. For more details please email 75Years@police.govt.nz.
The national Police torch relay will culminate and see the two halves of the torch joined together at a national parade of retired and current women Police staff in Wellington on August 1st.
The full itinerary of events happening across the country can be found at: http://www.police.govt.nz/about-us/75-years-women-police
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
For media coverage on the day of any event in Tairawhiti please contact: Carol Kitson, carol.kitson@police.govt.nz
For media coverage on the day of any event in Hawke’s Bay please contact: Senior Constable Susan Guy, susan.guy@police.govt.nz
For interview opportunities prior to the events please contact: Philippa Ormrod, media advisor, Philippa.ormrod@police.govt.nz
