Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Police torch relay underway after dawn ceremony

"Police torch relay underway after dawn ceremony in Cape Reinga (video available)"

The nationwide torch relay to celebrate 75 years of women in policing has begun, with the North Island relay setting off from Cape Reinga early this morning.

A dawn pöwhiri was held to mark the occasion at 6.30am with local iwi and Northland District Commander Russell Le Prou. Mrs Vicky Bush, the wife of Police Commissioner Mike Bush, and Karen Jones, Deputy Chief Executive Public Affairs, then officially launched the relay, wearing historic Police outfits from the 1940s and 1950s.

Mrs Bush passed the illuminated torch over to women police officers from the Northland District Police, who started the first leg of the national relay.

88 year-old Myra Larcombe, who was the first female Police officer based in Northland and joined Police in 1951, walked the torch on the path from the lighthouse at Cape Reinga.

At Te Paki stream female officers from Northland took the torch on toboggans down the sand dunes.

The torch then travelled down 90 Mile Beach in a Police 4wd to Houhora, and it was then taken to Kaitaia, where it was paraded through the town.

Tomorrow morning Police officers will carry the torch in a waka from the treaty grounds at Waitangi (weather dependent), over to Russell and back.

Mrs Larcombe will also be on the waka journey.

A game of Ki O Rahi will then be played between Police and the community at Waitangi and the torch will travel to Whangarei.

In the South Island, the torch left from Bluff and will be at Riverton, Tuatapere, Winton, and Lumsden tomorrow.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The relay will culminate on August 1st when the two halves of the torch will be joined together at a national parade of retired and current policewomen and other Police staff in Wellington.

Commissioner Bush says the 75th anniversary recognises the women of the past who have forged the way for women to thrive and succeed in NZ Police today.

“Women are now an integral part of policing and I know our district-based staff are looking forward to celebrating with their communities as the relay passes through many towns and cities across the country,” he said.

ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.