Staff old and new gathered to farewell the Howick Police Station this week.
With the Auckland Council-owned land the station is located on about to go on the market, the team based in the historic village have moved out of their premises. Current and former staff were on site to help officially close the station before it is put on a truck and moved to it’s new home in Paeroa.
It seems that history does indeed repeat after a photo of a previous station being hauled away by a truck in 1958 was discovered in the New Zealand Police Museum.
The old Howick Police Station being towed away in October 1958. The new building can be seen on the left.
Matua Brownie Rauwhiro opened the event with a karakia before Counties Manukau East Area Commander Inspector Scott Gemmell spoke of the history of policing in the area.
"With a rich history of keeping the East Auckland community safe, we look forward to continuing our presence in the area and ensuring the local community have the service they've come to expect over the past 150-plus years," he said.
Eastern Waikato Police were represented on the day by Senior Sergeant Peter Van De Wetering. The building will be used by the district as an area administration headquarters at the back of the Paeroa station.
Plans are well under way to secure new premises. In the meantime, staff from the former Howick Station will be working out of the Eastern Area headquarters in Ormiston but will continue working in Howick and remain visible in the community.