Sixty-two gifts and no turkeys – the graduates of Wing 371 started work in their districts on Christmas Day.
They graduated in front of a supportive audience of family and friends, Police Executive members - and even a new Minister - at Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua, on 14 December.
Dame Therese Walsh told the wing being their patron had been the biggest honour of her career.
“I am extremely proud of you and have talked about you all to everyone, from our new Prime Minister to our new next-door neighbour,” she said.
“The thing that stands out for me is that you are all decent, kind, caring, hard-working human beings. I have seen you go through numerous lectures and several stressful exams and help each other through…
“I now have 62 close personal friends in Police. We are now whānau.”
Police Minister Mark Mitchell said he was hugely proud to attend his first recruit graduation as Minister, a day after attending a patrol dog graduation at the Dog Training Centre.
He acknowledged Commissioner Andrew Coster for his outstanding leadership of Police, Superintendent Warwick Morehu for his leadership of the Royal New Zealand Police College and Dame Therese for her active mentorship of the wing.
“Let me thank you for the work you are about to undertake in your service to New Zealand,” he said to the graduates.
“Always be proud of the blue you wear. It’s a unique and hard-won privilege.”
Among the speakers was Leadership Award winner Constable James Cooney (Bay of Plenty District).
“Over the last 16 weeks, we’ve learned what our strengths and weaknesses are, so I now challenge you to turn your weaknesses into strengths,” he said to his wingmates.
“Make sure you make the time now to enjoy this accomplishment and share it with your loved ones.
“I couldn’t be prouder to stand here before you all and call you my brothers and sisters. I’m excited to see where this career takes us.”
Constable Harrison Taylor (Wellington), Second in Wing, says Police gave him a purpose missing from his previous work.
“Being there to help people and the ability to make a direct impact is what I was missing from my previous roles and my sense of purpose was missing. This is my why and why I joined Police.”
Constable Aleisha Scott with her dad, Inspector Craig Scott (right), and uncle Senior Sergeant Chris Scott. Senior Sergeant Richard Scott, another uncle, couldn't be there.
Constable Aleisha Scott (Canterbury) has plenty of prior insight into Police life. She has family members in blue and she previously worked as a Firearms Buyback team administrator.
She joined the Firearms Licensing team in 2020 as an administrator, followed by roles as Arms Officer and Acting Arms Supervisor. She was also part of the COVID response team in 2020.
“My family have over 100 combined years of experience in Police, so I’ve always had the dream of following in their footsteps,” she says.
Four of the Ruri sisters, from left: Anya, and Constables Briahn, Chanel and Geneva.
Constable Chanel Ruri (Northland) also has plenty of family support in her new role, with two of her six sisters - Briahn and Geneva - already serving as constables in the district.
She previously served in the New Zealand Navy, and another sister, Anya, still does.
“People close to me have been diagnosed with mental health issues and it’s been a long journey for them, so I want to be able to give the community the help they deserve,” says Chanel.
From left: Constables Chelsea Hepi, Olivia Broadhurst and Farheen Ali.
Among the sporty contingent is multi-skilled Constable Chelsea Hepi (Ngāti Kahungungu, Bay of Plenty District) who has played hockey for New Zealand, is a hockey umpire and has coached a men’s team in Tauranga. She plays for a women’s club that has placed second in the Middle North Island Champs.
She also speaks fluent Māori and is a qualified forklift driver. ‘I’m excited to get started,” she says.
Constable Olivia Broadhurst (Tasman) has a building qualification. In her previous role she looked after 80 building apprentices in the top of the South Island and was tasked with mentoring and supporting them through their apprenticeships.
Fiji-born Constable Farheen Ali (Counties Manukau) has previous experience of Police, having worked as an emergency communicator swapping to the blue uniform. She says she has enjoyed the new challenge and was looking forward to starting in district.
More about Wing 371
Awards
Minister’s Award for First in Wing, and Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award - Constable Benjamin Winstanley (Canterbury)
Patron’s Award for Second in Wing - Constable Harrison Taylor (Wellington)
Commissioner’s Award for Leadership - Constable James Cooney (Bay of Plenty)
Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award - Constable Isiah Dayman (Tasman)
Firearms Award - Constable Keegan Cassidy (Waikato)
Four of the five award winners, from left: Constables James Cooney, Keegan Cassidy, Isiah Dayman and Harrison Taylor.
Deployment
Wing members are dispersed as follows and joined their districts in the week starting Monday 25 December:
Northland – 5; Waitematā – 2; Auckland City – 8; Counties Manukau – 9; Waikato – 3; Bay of Plenty – 5; Eastern – 2; Central – 5; Wellington – 9; Tasman - 3; Canterbury – 7; Southern - 4.
Demographics
27.4 percent of the wing are female, and 72.6 percent are male. New Zealand European make up 71 percent, with Māori 16.1 percent, Pasifika 8.1 percent and Asian 4.8. percent.
Who’s the Patron?
Dame Therese Walsh is a professional director and highly regarded leader with a background in leading major sporting events.
She is Chair of Air New Zealand, ASB Bank and Chapter Zero NZ, with directorships including Antarctica New Zealand. She has previously held many other prominent directorships.
She is also a Beyond Greatness Champion, one of the inspirational women chosen to help support the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
Dame Therese started her career as a chartered accountant and auditor at KPMG. In 2003, she moved to the New Zealand Rugby Union, where she was Chief Financial Officer and part of the team that behind the winning bid to host the Rugby World Cup 2011.
She has also been Chief Operating Officer for Rugby New Zealand and New Zealand lead for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
She was awarded Westpac's Women of Influence Supreme Award in 2013, the Sir Peter Blake Trust Leadership Award in 2014, and in 2015 was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sports administration.