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National | Graduates

Māori encouraged to join the police force

A new member of the police force is confident more Māori in blue will help strengthen relationships between Māori and police. Wiremu Dawson graduated from the NZ Police College today and Ripeka Timutimu went along to see what the new face of the law looks like.

Māori are often subject to the long arm of the law, but Wiremu Dawson is helping to change that.

“This was my goal when ever since I was at school at Te Koutu,” says Wiremu.

The 22-year-old Rotorua local was one of 79 who graduated from the NZ Police College today. Wiremu was part of a joint partnership between Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and the NZ Police set up to encourage more Māori into the force.

Wiremu will be based in the Bay of Plenty, where relationships between Māori and the Police have recently been brought to the spotlight.

Though he has a tough road ahead, Wiremu is willing and ready for the challenge.