Valuing diversity was on parade last week when Wing 332 graduated from the Royal New Zealand Police College, with new constables including recruits from Afghanistan, Colombia and Estonia as well as other countries.
Thirty percent of the 59-strong wing have ethnicities other than New Zealand European. The graduation ceremony, as well as featuring special guests Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, also included prayers in their home languages by Punjabi and Colombian recruits.
None represented diversity better than Leadership Award winner Constable Liam Hae Hae, a self-described ‘lolly scramble of cultures’ with Māori, Rarotongan, Pakistani and Irish heritage. While none of his immediate family is in Police, he proudly calls Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha ‘uncle’.
Wing 332’s journey was like the annual flight of the kuaka or godwits from Siberia, he said in the traditional speech, with the 59 recruits coming from Kaitangata in the far South to Kerikeri in the North. “We have seen that migration now,” he said, congratulating them all for their hard work, time and patience.
And the Leadership Award, he says “is just me being me. Stepping up when needed is just part of who I am.”
Liam has already notched up time working with youth prisoners in Rotorua – "not bad kids but labelled after being dealt a different hand” and for Te Wānanga o Aotearoa as an organisational sports programme coach.
In the longer-term he’s interested in detective work, but for now Liam says he’s happy to do whatever is needed. And there’s a more immediate focus in his personal life, with a wedding planned for Valentine’s Day.
Constable Insia Abdullali believes she is the first Afghan female police officer in New Zealand. Her application to join was prompted by the very positive opinion she formed of Police when she arrived aged seven, with no idea of where New Zealand actually was.
“When I first came I interacted with a police officer – they were really friendly and approachable. It made me feel good about being here.”
Later experiences, including with a family friend who was a police officer, confirmed that view and so in 2017 she applied – and failed. Unwilling to give up, she studied hard, modified her diet and worked on fitness including turning out three times a week for an Auckland Police-led running bootcamp.
“I always wanted to join and become a contact point for our community here,” Insia says.
She joins colleague Constable Yama Bashiri, who graduated in Wing 329 in September, and one other Afghan recruit. It’s possible there have been others but Police has only been collecting specific ethnicity data for the past few years.
Estonian Gertrud Kikajon - who taught herself English by reading Harry Potter books - says joining Police has always been an ambition, sharpened by her partner’s brother, a Protection Services member. While detective work appeals later on, for now she’s happy to see what the job conjures up.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush told the new constables their graduation was a milestone not only for each of them, but for New Zealand Police. Wing 332 includes the 1800th new constable to head to the frontline since October 2017.
"Everyone in this room knows that we aspire to be the safest country," he said, before noting the graduates' role in helping achieve that for communities "that we come to work every day to serve."
In thanking families for their support, he also exhorted them to recognise the realities of the new graduates' workday lives and be patient, loving and caring. He pledged their Police family would do everything they could to keep them safe throughout their careers.
Police Minister Stuart Nash, attending the 27th of 28 graduations since he became Minister, noted the many amazing Kiwis now part of New Zealand Police. "I know you will absolutely thrive," he said.
Currently 12.7 percent of Police's constabulary strength is Māori, 6.4 percent Pasifika and 4.6 percent Asian. Each group is growing significantly faster than the rest of Police, with the increasing diversity of recruits.
Awards
Minister’s Award recognising top student – Constable Renine Stansloski, Bay of Plenty District
Patron’s Award, recognising second top student – Constable Kate van Dillen, Wellington District
Commissioner’s Award for Leadership – Constable Liam Hae Hae, Wellington District
Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award – Constable Zoe Fleming, Waitematā District
Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award – Constable James Crean, Bay of Plenty District
Firearms Award – Constable Luke Taylor, Wellington District
Deployment
The new constables are enjoying a one-week break before starting duties on Monday in their districts. The wing is being dispersed as follows: Northland – 2; Waitematā – 9; Auckland – 6; Counties Manukau – 13; Waikato – 3; Bay of Plenty – 5; Eastern – 2; Central – 3; Wellington – 6; Tasman – 1; Canterbury – 6; Southern – 3