A wet, grey winter’s day on Otago’s peninsula could not dampen the aroha and manaakitanga at a very special pōwhiri for Southern’s new District Commander and Māori Responsiveness Manager.
The karanga from Tamatea, Ōtakou Marae’s meeting house, cut through the cold wind and rain.
It called upon the manuhiri who had braved the less-than-ideal conditions to formally acknowledge and support Southern District’s new District Commander, Superintendent Jason Guthrie, and Māori Responsiveness Manager Inspector Dan Williams.
And while the rain came down, the welcome could not have been warmer.
Joining the procession to awhi Jason and Dan was a large contingent of Southern District staff, partner agency representatives, friends and whānau, and also Police rangatira from across the motu.
These included Deputy Commissioner Chris de Wattignar, Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson, fellow Te Waipounamu District Commanders Superintendents Tony Hill and Tracey Thompson, and Southern’s previous District Commander, Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham.
Police Kaumatua Hata Temo, Southern District Commander Jason Guthrie and Māori Responsiveness Manager Dan Williams.
Once out of the rain, inside Tamatea, the formal proceedings saw whaikorero from Ōtākou runaka welcome all, before Otago Coastal Police Kaumatua Hata Temo spoke for the manuhiri and referenced the journey that Jason and Dan had travelled through Police.
Hata made special mention of Jason’s career, likening it to a small bird that had made its way to the top of a very tall tree.
Indeed, Jason’s journey has been firmly connected to Southern. The first 25 years of his career were spent in Dunedin in operational roles, before he progressed to Tactical Coordinator, District Deployment Manager and Otago Coastal Area Commander, then roles at Police National Headquarters.
In taking the pou to accept the warm welcome, Jason spoke of how treasured this part of the country is to him.
“While I left regularly, my heart never left,” he said.
“Koputai Aramoana – that is my place. I’m connected to it and I’d have to say it is the centre of my universe. It means a hell of a lot to me.”
Jason shared his aspirations for the role of Southern District Commander.
“I undertake to be the absolute best I can be in this role, an honorable Te Tiriti partner. I will work hard for you all, and it won’t be the other way around. I’m working for you.”
It was then time for a touch of friendly Te Waipounamu banter as Jason alluded to his goals within the role.
“My vision and aspiration is for Southern to be the safest district. Some would argue it is now – Tracey Thompson…”
This drew some chuckles, before Jason noted the connectedness of the Te Waipounamu districts.
“The three districts are all very collegial in striving to be the safest, and in doing so we can become the safest country.”
Inspector Dan Williams was warmly welcomed into the role of Māori Responsiveness Manager for Southern. Dan has been in the role of District Partnerships Manager for three months after moving from Northland, where he had policed for nearly 14 years.
He spoke of the legacy of those that had come before him in the role, making special mention of Otago Coastal Area Commander Matenga Gray and Southern District Prevention Manager Porima Rangitutia.
“I just want to acknowledge that I’m taking a space that others have held. It’s not lost on me the responsibility that comes with this role.”
With the noticeably Southern weather conditions continuing outside, Dan made mention of the reasoning behind his move from the comparatively tropical north.
“People ask me why I came from Kaitaia to Dunedin – it wasn’t for this weather!
“I was given an opportunity by Southern to further my career, and do some good mahi for the district… I want to discover more about my Kai Tāhu side, to complement the Ngāpuhi fire.”
When the formal speeches within the wharenui came to an end, all made their way to share kai, where the warmth continued, with impromptu welcoming waiata being shared.
It was then over to Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham, Southern District Commander for seven years, to make a presentation to Jason.
In handing over one of the 12 District Commander pounamu taonga to Jason, pictured above, Paul re-emphasised the New Zealand Police whakatauki, encouraging Jason to lean into all the challenges that lay ahead within the role.
“You mentioned the whakatauki - ‘e tu ki te kei o te waka, kia pākia koe e ngā ngaru o te wā’ – which is appropriate given these taonga represent parts of the waka, and this particular taonga representing the stern.
“I hope you stand tall at the stern of the waka and feel the spray of the future biting at your face.”