From game fishing to canoe polo, and from missionary work to marketing – the 51 new constables of Recruit Wing 373 bring a world of experience to their new roles.
The wing graduated from their initial training in a ceremony at the Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua on 22 February.
They were supported at the graduation by a vocal crowd of whānau and other supporters as they paraded in front of dignitaries including Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, Courts Minister Nicole McKee and their patron, Chief Censor Caroline Flora.
Patron Caroline told the wing: “Every recruit’s choice to join New Zealand Police is a testament to their character and commitment to a brighter future. We, your fellow public servants, and the communities you serve, are proud of you.”
The wing members were the usual cross section of New Zealand's diversity. A number have family links with Police, through currently or previously serving staff. Some have policed in overseas jurisdictions.
Some were tertiary educated and some held trade certificates. Many had been volunteers or are still volunteering alongside their new policing careers. The wing included a number ex-military people from New Zealand and abroad.
'If you can change one life for the better...' Constable Kayla Ness addresses her wingmates.
In the customary Leadership Award winner’s speech, Constable Kayla Ness (Counties Manukau) thanked the college staff and the whānau who had ‘held it down’ at home - and said it was time for the wing to ‘pop the bubble’ and start role-modelling exceptional policing in their communities.
“I do not doubt how hard each and every constable worked, and that it was not coincidence that brought us together,” she said.
“To Wing 373, although I am honoured to be standing here receiving this Leadership award, I know that each and every one of you will be leaders in your communities.
“Everything you’ve learned from cognitive conditioning, every RIP, every SIT [training exercises] - it’s time to put it into action, to be the people you’ve been all along, and more. If you can change one life for the better then I think that is the greatest treasure of all.”
Kayla, a former early childhood teacher and digital marketing specialist, was inspired to join Police by the example of her police officer partner – “and with his encouragement I’ve moved to a job I really want”.
The Minister’s Award for Top of Wing went to Constable Jakob Parry, who previously worked in retail and customer service. He has played canoe polo at a national level, including competing overseas.
“Joining Police has always appealed to me, ever since I was kid,” he says. “I want to be able to do a job where I know I am actively making a difference in the community, and I know this will happen in Police.”
Jakob was not the only canoe polo rep in the wing. Constable Liam Frost is a member of the New Zealand men’s team and has competed as far afield as Ireland and France. Jakob and Liam both went to Palmerston North Boys High School and will both be policing in Manawatū, Central District.
Counties-bound: award-winning Constables Jason Tokareta and Corey Bentham.
Counties Manukau District is benefitting from having two more award winners in its latest intake as well as Kayla.
Constable Jason Tokareta won the prize for Driver Training and Road Policing Practice. Kiribati-born Jason says he grew up in a family of 14, so no surprise that he enjoys family time, sports and helping others.
“I have passion for helping people and the best way I know how to do this is by serving our community as a police officer,” he says.
Constable Corey Betham was born in Auckland but raised in Samoa from a very young age. To get fit for Police he adopted a vegan diet and began CrossFit training, bringing his weight down from 140kg to 95kg.
He is full of praise for his wife in supporting his career choice. “I’m a dad with four children and my wife took amazing care of our family while I was at training in Porirua,” he says.
“I don't think I would've got this far if it wasn't for her unwavering support throughout my process to join Police…
“My reason for being here is because of my family, they are my WHY in everything that I do in life – they are the reason I keep fit and healthy and why I joined Police.”
Lauren the new constable, and Lauren the big-game fishing enthusiast.
Several wing members follow outdoors pursuits, from deerstalking to freediving. Among them is Constable Lauren Ashby (Northland), of Ngāti Wai, who has a passion for big-game fishing.
She has been catching and tagging sharks since she was 13. She is New Zealand women's record holder for the largest short bill spearfish caught; held the 2017 title for the most gamefish caught by a female junior angler; and had the honour of catching the 1000th marlin for her boat.
When it came to landing a Police career, Lauren says she was nervous about hitting the 'submit application' button, fearing she was too young and didn’t have the right life experience, but she persevered.
“My best advice is once you've hit that button, put 100 percent into everything - your running, your study, your interview and your scope.”
Constables Joshua Murphy and Natalie Tautari. Natalie is holding a photo of her late father Jimmy Molloy.
Constable Joshua Murphy (Tasman) spent time as a missionary in Hawaii and Japan, working with homeless people, children and families in need. Now his sights are set closer to home.
“I want to focus on PST first and be the best that I can in that,” he says.
“In five years, I see myself policing Blenheim with the knowledge I’ve gained. Blenheim is my home and always has been and I really want to be giving back to the community that I grew up in.”
Constable Natalie Tautari (Southern) now has the trifecta of emergency services under her belt.
Since 2010 she has served as a volunteer firefighter and co-responder medic for Ohai Volunteer Fire Brigade – following the steps of her late father Jimmy Molloy - and St John Ambulance in Winton, and been a crew member in the Alliance Lorneville Emergency Response Team.
She attributes her sense of community to her childhood in Ohai, a small coal-mining town in Southland.
“I’m here to complete my dream,” she says. “From the age of five I’ve always wanted to be a police officer. The passion has always been there, but the timing was never quite right.
“My vision is to bring it all together, driven by a desire to give back.”
More about Wing 373
Awards
Minister’s Award recognising top student - Constable Jakob Parry (Central)
Patron’s Award for second in wing, and the Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award - Constable Luca Soares Gonzalez (Canterbury)
Commissioner’s Award for Leadership: Constable Kayla Ness (Counties Manukau)
Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award: Constable Jason Tokareta (Counties Manukau)
Firearms Award: Constable Corey Betham (Counties Manukau)
Deployment
Wing members started work in their districts in the week starting Monday 4 March. They were dispersed as follows:
Northland 4; Auckland City 2; Counties Manukau 10; Waikato 2; Bay of Plenty 3; Eastern 3; Central 6; Wellington 9; Tasman 2; Canterbury 6; Southern 4.
Demographics
25.5 percent of the wing are female, and 68.6 percent are male. New Zealand European make up 68.6 percent of the wing, with Māori 15.7 percent, Pasifika 13.7 percent and Asian 2 percent.
About the Patron
Patron Caroline Flora inspecting the wing.
Caroline Flora is a leader in the public sector who has committed her career to harm prevention.
Caroline was appointed Chief Censor in July 2022 and leads Te Mana Whakaatu – the Classification Office, an Independent Crown Entity.
She trained as a lawyer before entering the public sector, where she has had experience in senior roles at Police and the Ministry of Health.
The focus of her professional career has been on reducing and preventing harm to children, families and communities.
In her current role, Caroline is responsible for protecting New Zealanders, especially tamariki and rangatahi, from the harms that can come from depictions of sex, crime, cruelty, horror and violence in media. Upholding the right to freedom of expression and recognising the diverse views of all Kiwis is at the heart of this work.
Caroline is passionate about her work and is focused on the evolving role regulation plays in today’s digital world.