Paula Tanuvasa

Constable Paula Tanuvasa first joined the New Zealand Police in 2001.

Paula spent her first five years with the Police on the frontline, before transferring to Forensic Photography. In 2011, she was sent to Christchurch as part of the Disaster Victim Identification Team after the February earthquake.

In 2014 Paula became the Wellington Maritime Unit’s first female crew member aboard the Lady Elizabeth IV. Growing up diving and fishing in the Bay of Plenty town of Katikati, as well as owning her own boat, provided Paula with the experience she needed for the role. Constable Alison Campkin, a senior launch master with the Auckland police maritime unit, is the only other female maritime police officer on New Zealand waters.

Currently the majority of Paula’s work is training, as she has only been with the unit for two years. Training includes navigation work and practicing helming with the Sergeant in Charge. She is also occasionally out on the beat for general policing duties.

Outside of work, Paula enjoys catching up with family and friends and spending time with her teenage daughter. She still enjoys fishing, as well as taking her dog Scruff for a walk and getting her camera out to take photos.