Govt's 500 police target delayed again as Australia poaching campaign considered
When the policy was first announced, it had a two-year deadline from late November 2023 to increase NZ Police's constabulary force from 10,211 to 10,711 by November 2025.
Government ministers had gradually accepted the initial deadline was unlikely to be met after Police Commissioner Richard Chambers indicated June 2026 was more realistic, given his commitment to training standards.
As of July 21, NZ Police had added just 23 extra officers. About 90 recruits were due to graduate at the end of the month.
Associate Police Minister Casey Costello, who was responsible for the policy, said in February she was 'even more confident' the target would be reached in November this year amid a boost in applications.
In a statement this week, Costello said projections shifted from month to month based on the timing of graduations and the number of officers leaving or retiring.
'We always knew it was an ambitious timeline.'
Labour police spokeswoman Ginny Andersen is criticising the Government's ability to deliver. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Labour police spokeswoman Ginny Andersen condemned the delay as an example of Luxon's 'inability to deliver'.
'Meanwhile, meth use is surging and our communities are suffering,' she said.
'The Government shouldn't promise what it can't deliver on.'
Police keep latest projections under wraps
In an interview with the Herald yesterday, Penny wouldn't provide NZ Police's latest estimate when the target would be reached, saying it was 'pretty hard to be accurate' given the variable nature of training numbers and attrition.
Asked whether she could guarantee it would be achieved before the 2026 election, Penny wouldn't speculate.
About 370 recruits were currently progressing through NZ Police's 20-week training course, while another 340 would begin training by the end of the year.
That was offset by an attrition rate of 5.4% and an aging workforce, according to Penny.
She acknowledged police had been a 'bit sluggish in the beginning', but a dedicated team had since been set up to improve recruitment efforts.
'There are some things we can do to maybe deliver it a little bit sooner and that's why last week I was with all the district commanders and asking ourselves the question around what are we doing now that's working and what are we not doing so we can move things faster.
'We are going to deliver it, but we will get there when we get there.'
Police Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny said training standards wouldn't be compromised to hit the target. Photo / Jason Oxenham
One of those measures to boost recruitment could be an effort to poach Kiwi cops now in Australia and possibly Australian officers as well.
Penny said Chambers had asked senior leaders to assess whether an Australian recruitment drive would be useful. A decision hadn't yet been made.
It followed several attempts from Australian police officials to attract New Zealand officers across the ditch, most recently by members of Northern Territory Police.
While any recruitment drive would likely focus on New Zealand officers, Penny said it was being discussed whether to broaden the campaign.
'We have had a number of conversations that we should maybe say, 'Hey, bring one of your Aussie work besties back with you', but that's in negotiation.'
Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald's Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
17 minutes ago
- NZ Herald
Govt to increase Crown body board members' fee ranges, in some cases by 80%
He said the public sector had got 'out of whack' compared with the private sector. Luxon said when billions of dollars are being spent on the likes of healthcare, it's 'important that we actually are able to attract really good governance, of Health New Zealand for example'. 'This is just acknowledging that we need to make sure that we can attract good people.' Asked what his message was to someone struggling with the cost of living while the Government was lifting board fees, Luxon pointed to other actions the Government had taken. He mentioned efforts to clamp down on inflation, pouring money into new infrastructure, and today's announcement of removing surcharges from card payments. The Cabinet Fees Framework lays out a range of fee levels for appointees to different bodies and criteria that appointees are marked against. The higher their score, the more they could be paid. It applies to members of a range of bodies or groups the Crown has an interest in, such as royal commissions, ministerial inquiries and some governance boards. However, it doesn't cover pay set by the Remuneration Authority, which deals with MPs, the judiciary and the heads of various commissions and authorities. The framework is reviewed every three years by the Public Service Commission, which reports to Cabinet on the fees. A Cabinet Circular today revealed the new pay ranges. Photo / Mark Mitchell The circular issued today says Cabinet agreed to a revised framework that took effect from July 1. A list of 'main changes' from the previous framework include 'an increase of 80% to the fee ranges' for some governance boards and 'an increase of 30%' for other bodies. It is 'not intended to be prescriptive, and judgment will be required to determine best fit', the document says. It enables a 'consistent approach' to setting fees across bodies. The new framework says setting fees should 'support the appointment of appropriately qualified and diverse body members', contain expenditure within 'reasonable limits' and 'provide flexibility'. 'The framework enables fees to be determined by ministers and other fee-setting authorities who are most familiar with the work of particular bodies.' There is a lengthy process of setting or reviewing members' fees, which takes into account the complexity of their role, the degree to which the role is in the public eye, and recruitment or retention issues. 'Fees will continue to be set on a fair but conservative basis to reflect a discount for the element of public service involved,' the framework says. Members occupying identical positions on the same body should be paid the same rate, but the framework says in some cases it 'is necessary to secure people with scarce specialist skills' and therefore consideration may be given to a higher fee. Alternatively, a fee lower than the suggested range could also be paid in some circumstances. The framework says the schedule of fees 'reflects the nature of their business environment and the role requirements'. The 80% increase applies to the fee range for governance boards responsible for most Crown entities. The top range, for those appointees given the highest scores against the set criteria, is between $73,100 and $162,200 for a chair and between $36,500 and $80,400 for a member. This compares to the previous 2022 framework, which had a range of $40,596 to $90,123 for chairs and $20,295 to $44,655 for members. The new bottom range for this group is between $25,800 and $54,200 for a chair and between $12,900 and $27,100 for a member. On the face of it, to be in the top range, an appointee would need to chair the governance board of an entity with a budget in the hundreds of millions of dollars or above, and with more than one primary function. This would require consultation with the commission. The range reflects an annual rate, which the framework says is consistent with the private sector and is appropriate given the workload is 'predictable and/or substantial'. It's expected these members work about 30 days a year, 'which is in line with the amount of time spent by board directors in private sector companies', while chairs are expected to work about 50 days a year. 'The fees for chairs is set at approximately twice the rate of the members to take account of both the differences in responsibility and in workload,' the framework says. 'Where it is anticipated that a chair or members will have a lesser workload than above, it is expected that this be reflected in the fee level.' One group has had its fee ranges increased by 80%. Another grouping with its own fee ranges are members of statutory tribunals and authorities. This is reflected in a daily rate as it is expected their workload will be 'unpredictable'. The top range for these chairs is between $995 and $1550, or between $640 and $990 for members. The bottom range is between $525 and $770 for chairs, and between $416 and $500 for members. A range of additional information is also provided around expenses, how to review current members' fees and where exceptions to the framework could apply. A report from the Institute of Directors in October found directors' fees had not been keeping pace with inflation. 'Despite some claims that directors are overpaid, non-executive director fees rarely increase in line with general employee increases or inflation.' Jamie Ensor is a political reporter in the NZ Herald press gallery team based at Parliament. He was previously a TV reporter and digital producer in the Newshub press gallery office. In 2025, he was a finalist for Political Journalist of the Year at the Voyager Media Awards.
NZ Herald
2 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Te Pāti Māori announces Ikaroa-Rāwhiti candidate Hayley Maxwell
Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech. Haley Maxwell co-ordinated the Toitu Te Tiriti hīkoi in Gisborne. By Russell Palmer of RNZ Te Pāti Māori has announced Haley Maxwell will stand for next year's general election - for the one Māori seat currently held by Labour. Maxwell helped organise the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti in the region last year. 'Haley Maxwell spearheaded the historic Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti from Te Tairāwhiti right through to Kahungunu. Haley embodies the fierce compassion and courage that Ikaroa-Rāwhiti is famous for,' Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi said in a written statement. 'She has stood on the marae, in the courts and on the streets for our people. Parliament will be a stronger house with her voice echoing the roar of Te Tairāwhiti.'
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Scoop
NZ Army Combat-Ready Infantry Platoon Deploys To The Republic Of Korea
A New Zealand Army infantry platoon of 35 soldiers has deployed to the Republic of Korea to undertake training and activities with Korean and United States forces. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has a long-standing commitment to supporting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and has been deploying personnel to the United Nations Command (UNC) and its Military Armistice Commission since 1998. Now, for the first time, the NZDF is deploying a combat-ready infantry platoon to work with units from the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and US Army. A second deployment is planned for next year. The platoon will be the first NZ Army organisation to train at the world-class Korea Combat Training Centre, providing the Kiwi soldiers with another unique aspect to their deployment. Over the next 90 days, they will undertake a range of infantry training activities with their South Korean and US counterparts. Land Component Commander Brigadier Jason Dyhrberg said the soldiers would develop new skills while honing others. This was a great opportunity to gain valuable experience alongside Republic of Korea and US personnel and have access to world class-combat training facilities, he said, 'After three months, our troops will be more familiar with their counterparts' techniques and tactics and be better able to readily integrate into a coalition warfighting environment,' Brigadier Dyhrberg said. 'At the conclusion of their time on the Korean Peninsula, they will have been tested across a range of challenging scenarios and activities and be deemed combat ready under both the South Korean and US systems. 'We know the NZ Army produces world-class soldiers and officers. This deployment presents another great opportunity to showcase our people, to learn new skills and to develop greater levels of combat readiness alongside key international partners. I have no doubt that they will do us proud.' The New Zealand Defence Attaché to Korea, Colonel Rob Loftus, said the aim of the deployment was to foster cooperation and understanding between the three forces at the platoon level. 'This will provide our soldiers with a fantastic training opportunity to exercise with our military partners on the peninsula. They'll build relationships while putting themselves to the test. 'The platoon will also participate in several cultural and commemorative activities celebrating the 75th year anniversary of the United Nations Command, and Korean War battle anniversaries.' UNC Deputy Commander Canadian Army Lieutenant General Derek Macaulay said that as the UNC celebrated its 75th anniversary, it was honoured to welcome the NZ Army infantry unit. 'The platoon's presence here reflects New Zealand's steadfast commitment to UNC and to the enduring peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. For over seven decades New Zealand has stood firm in support of the shared values we defend together.'' The latest deployment builds on the legacy started when New Zealand contributed both naval and ground forces in support of UNC during the Korean War in the early 1950s. More than 6000 New Zealanders served. The platoon will remain on the Korean Peninsula until the end of October. Further joint training and mission rehearsal activities are being planned for 2026.
