Rugby, racing and volunteer – police graduation tomorrow

Seventy-eight talented New Zealanders will be proudly lining up at their police graduation ceremony on Thursday at the Royal New Zealand Police College.  
 
A rugby player in the 2011 Rugby World Cup representing Tonga, Constable Andrew Ma’ilei says he joined New Zealand Police because he wants to help maintain a safe community. 
 
He has been a professional rugby player in the UK, Europe and Japan and has three children, each born in a different country (New Zealand, Japan and France). Andrew says the lack of security he felt overseas has motivated him to provide a more secure environment for his children and others in New Zealand.
 
“I have a deep appreciation for New Zealand as a safe community compared to the experiences my family and I endured while living in Europe. I wanted to return my children home for security reasons, but also to add my contribution to keeping New Zealand even safer.”
 
Constable Ma’ilei is posted to Counties Manukau District.
 
Olympic swimmer Constable Natalie Wiegersma says she’s a Southland girl at heart, although currently living in Tauranga. She is proudly the first female from Southland to have represented New Zealand in swimming at an Olympics – the 2012 Summer Olympics where she raced in the 400 metre and 200 metre women’s individual medley. She also competed in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
 
Natalie has done missionary work in Africa with children, gained a Certificate in Intercultural Studies and a Bachelor of Media Arts, and is now focusing on helping her community.
 
“I have joined Police because I want to make my time on Earth count for something. I want to help people; I want to make a difference. I want to help people who don’t have the opportunity to help themselves.”
 
Constable Wiegersma is posted to Waikato District.
 
Constable Oriwia Taylor says she comes from humble beginnings, was raised in Waikaremoana and is proud of her Tuhoe heritage. She considers herself a country girl that loves her marae and hunting.
 
Oriwia spent a small portion of her life in Australia, working “on the roads and in bars”. She has coached netball, worked as a cook, and before joining the Police she worked for her iwi at the Waikaremoana Tribal Authority.
 
Oriwia has completed concurrent degrees in Business Management and Recreation and Sports. 
 
She gives back to her community by volunteering for the local Fire Service and local Search and Rescue team, and by coaching “Bush Fit” classes that help the local kids and adults learn about staying active and healthy eating.
 
Oriwia loves sports and has competed nationally and internationally in waka ama. 
 
“I’ve joined the Police because I love my community. We have a drug, gang and alcohol problem, and I just want to be able to show rangatahi there are alternatives out there.”
 
Constable Taylor is posted to Eastern District.
 
Commissioner Mike Bush, other members of the Police Executive, Police Minister Hon Stuart Nash and wing patron Venkat Raman will also be present at the ceremony on Thursday 1 August.
 
Venkat Raman is a community leader who has been the editor of Indian Newslink, based in Auckland, for the past 20 years. In this role he provides a New Zealand-India perspective on current affairs and has had a focus on giving back to the community through Indian Newslink awards and scholarships.
 
He sits on the Police Commissioner’s National Focus Forum, Asian Advisory Board of the Auckland City District Police, South Asian Advisory Board of Counties Manukau Police, Waitematā District Advisory Board and the New Migrants Advisory Board of Massey University.
 
Awards
 
Minister’s Award recognising top student – Constable Mitchell Murdoch, Wellington District
 
Patron’s Award, recognising second top student – Constable Sophie Cameron, Waitematā District
 
Commissioner’s Award for Leadership – Constable Satelaite Vailala, Counties Manukau District
 
Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award – Constable Joshua Tohiariki, Waikato District
 
Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award – Constable Garrit Van T Veen, Canterbury District
 
Firearms Award – Constable Abigail Daunton, Eastern District
 
Deployment information
 
The new constables will have a one-week break before starting duties in their districts. The wing is being dispersed as follows: 
Northland – 2
Waitematā – 12
Auckland – 2
Counties Manukau – 19
Waikato – 7
Bay of Plenty – 6
Eastern – 4
Central – 5
Wellington – 7
Tasman – 2
Canterbury – 7
Southern – 5
 
Media
 
Media are welcome to attend the Graduation Parade which takes place at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua. The ceremony starts at 2.00pm on Thursday. Any media wishing to attend the graduation should contact the Police Media Centre by 5pm Wednesday at media@police.govt.nz.
 
ENDS
 
Issued by Police Media Centre.