The largest ever Auckland-only Police wing in 40 years graduates at the Royal New Zealand Police College today, 31 May 2018.

The seventy eight graduating members of Wing 314 will be posted to Tāmaki Makaurau with 28 heading to Auckland, 34 heading to Counties Manukau and 16 being posted to Waitemata.

Attending the celebrations tomorrow will be Police Commissioner Mike Bush, Minister of Police Stuart Nash and Wing Patron Sir Noel Robinson.

The oldest officer graduating is 47 and the youngest 19.

Many of the graduates also have family members and partners in NZ Police, Constable Amy Johnston-Rusbatch is following in the footsteps of both her parents.

Her father is a Sergeant and in the Armed Offenders Squad and her mother is a Senior Constable.

Among the graduates is a former television cameraman Christopher Jones, who has covered news and current affairs in conflict and disaster zones.

It is also a special day for the Afoa family with two brothers graduating, John and Lafoia.

Both were Authorised Officers before joining as recruits.

Wing 314 is ethnically diverse with graduates of Māori, Pacific Island, Asian and New Zealand European backgrounds.

Some of the graduating officers also speak second languages such as Te Reo, Afrikaans, German, Hindi, Punjabi, Korean, Mandarin, Thai and Samoan.

Award winners

The Minister’s Award goes to Constable Jessica Mahar, she is being posted to Counties Manukau.
The Patron’s Award is being presented to Constable Nicole Stratford who is being posted to Waitemata.
Constable Craig Heslop receives the Commissioner’s Award for Leadership.

Constable Heslop is being posted to Waitemata.

The ceremony starts at 12:30pm today at the Royal New Zealand Police College, Papakowhai, Wellington.

ENDS

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