Police recruitment community event in Eastern District follows Puhikura launch
Two events will be held in Hawke's Bay in a bid to attract more wahine Māori to join Police.
It comes off the back of the launch of Puhikura earlier this month.
The candid documentary series shows wāhine Māori Police applicants telling their honest stories of what has held them back from being recruited into the police and what has called them forward.
It will be used as a focal point for community and marae-based recruiting seminars and events hosted by New Zealand Police targeting Māori – wāhine, tāne, iwi, whānau and friends. Their aim is to invite korero about individuals’ barriers or concerns.
In a statement, a spokesperson said police want other wāhine Māori to be able to identify with those profiled in the documentaries and hope the campaign helps them to better understand and be able to respond to barriers for Māori from a Te Ao Māori perspective.
Details of Hastings event:
Date: 28 June
Address: Hastings Girls' High, Pakowhai Road, Hastings
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Contact: Lee-Ann Mainwarning (021 192 3081) and Greg Macklow (021 192 3656)
Details of Napier event:
Date: 29 June
Address: Century Theatre Napier MTG Hawke’s Bay, 65 Marine Parade
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Contact: Lee-Ann Mainwarning (021 192 3081) and Greg Macklow (021 192 3656)
Other events will be held across the country over the course of the next few months
On Thursday, June 30 Wing 355, the Arihia Stirling Wing, will graduate with over 20 of the recruits identifying as wāhine Māori.
Back in 2017, Police were achieving that number across the entire year.
"They are excited that they will have a future constabulary workforce that will match or be very close to matching our population demographics," the spokesperson said.
"But they are not there yet – and that’s why this campaign is needed, as although the numbers of Māori being recruited have increased substantially over the past four years, this is still a group that is under-represented, particularly wāhine Māori."
Police encourage any wāhine Māori, tāne, iwi, whānau and friends to attend these community events to find out more information and talk to recruiting staff.
To find out more about the Puhikura campaign and check for other community events near you, visit: https://www.newcops.govt.nz/
