09-07-2025
Kaikohe Business Association Welcomes New Police Recruits
Press Release – Kaikohe Business Association
The Business Association is appreciative that the District Recruitment Lead Sergeant Joe Te Ao has been proactive in approaching potential recruits and encouraging them to apply.
After a long time of voicing concerns about the lack of police visibility, the Kaikohe Business Association is formally welcoming two new recruits to the Kaikohe community with the support of Kohewhata marae.
Kaikohe Business Association raised the idea of a formal welcome with the marae and local Senior Sergeant Clem Armstrong when it was first announced that the two graduates were heading to Kaikohe in April. The Association wants to build stronger relationships with local hapu, the police and Indian business community. One of their goals is to promote Kaikohe as a welcoming community and a good place for new police recruits to come and work.
The Business Association is appreciative that the District Recruitment Lead Sergeant Joe Te Ao has been proactive in approaching potential recruits and encouraging them to apply. A consistent theme at every community meeting attended or facilitated by the Business Association is the need for a more visible police presence. This is the Association's way of acknowledging that some progress is being made in community policing.
It is also a first for the community to have a Sikh policeman. Milanpreet is not a stranger to Kaikohe. Before going to police college he worked in Kaikohe in the retail industry. He has first hand knowledge of some of the challenges local businesses face. He is joined by local Maximilian Stovell who knows the area and comes from a trade background.
The pōwhiri will begin on August 15th, midday at Kohewhata marae and conclude with lunch in the whare kai. Representatives from local business and community groups have been invited to support the event and build an even stronger community going forward.
Paul WiHongi of Te Uri o Hua says it would be in order to welcome the two police officers into Kaikohe with a traditional pōwhiri.
'We would also take the opportunity to welcome the Indian community into our area. I'd like to think that this would set a precedent for all manuhiri.'
Paul believes that this may be the beginning of an open honest relationship with the business community of Kaikohe. 'We look forward as a hapū to carve out a prosperous and fruitful pathway together.'
Kaikohe Business Association chairperson Mike Shaw says, 'Kaikohe is a beautiful safe place to live and do business and the new recruits add to the growing confidence of a safer community. Events like this pull people together in a positive way. Thanks to the local hapū Te Uri o Hua for enabling this event to happen.'
