Wardens receive new vehicles

Superintendent Wally Haumaha (right) completes his speech before handing over the keys to one of the new vans to Superintendent Gail Gibson (left). Wellington District kaumatua, Rawiri George(second left) and Murdoch Pahi (second right) wait to accept the keys from Gail.

In early September Māori Wardens based in Wellington District celebrated the arrival of two new vans in a special ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Police College.

The ceremony capped off two days of college-based training for the 23 wardens, who came together from around the greater Wellington region.

Wellington District kaumatua Murdoch Pahi and Rawiri George formally opened proceedings at the college, with Te Puni Kokiri’s Te Rau Clarke, Māori Wardens Project Manager and Ngahana Hartley, Kaiwhakarite for Te Whanganui-a-tara.

The assembled crowd of 75 moved outside onto the college courtyard to bless the vans, named Kupe and Manu.

Wellington District Mäori Wardens in front of their new vans. Photos: Senior Sergeant Damin Ormsby

Wellington District Commander, Superintendent Gail Gibson says she was honoured to receive the keys. “This represents the start of our journey together for the district,” she says.

Waiata completed the handover, with formalities continuing once everyone was inside. Area commanders for Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Kapiti Mana and Wairarapa shared their experiences of policing in partnership with the wardens and formally welcomed them into their respective areas.

The new vehicles complement the police radio equipment and other resources such as torches and new uniforms that the wardens are in the process of receiving.

Māori Wardens in Tauranga delayed their planned ceremony to accept vans as all warden resources in the Bay of Plenty were pooled to provide assistance for Sir Howard Morrison’s tangi in Rotorua.