NZ Police is partnering with Maori Television documentary show NGA PIRIHIMANA HOU to move the show into the social media space.

Recruiting a workforce reflective of New Zealand's diverse communities is a priority for police to ensure responsiveness to the needs of all New Zealanders.

However research indicates that recruiting young Maori is not always easy. Young Maori are sometimes put off when role models lack visibility. This latest recruitment initiative and partnership is paving the way to change that by engaging Maori youth through social media.

NGA PIRIHIMANA HOU is a documentary-style television series, that airs Fridays at 10pm on Maori Television, following Maori recruits as they reflect on their experiences during fitness training, driving instruction, defensive tactics, police procedure training and interviewing techniques.

Each week during the broadcast of NGA PIRIHIMANA HOU viewers are invited to interact live with police officers on the 'NZ Police Recruitment' Facebook page. The premise behind the real-time social media initiative is to provide role models for potential recruits on dual screens.

By searching ‘NZ Police Recruitment’ on Facebook, viewers can strike up a conversation and ask questions about the job from a different officer each week. To date the Facebook page has featured a number of inspirational Maori police officers including a dog handler, a general duties constable, a detective in the family violence team, a sergeant working in community policing, and even an instructor at the police college.

In upcoming months it is anticipated that this will translate into applications.

General Manager of Maori Pacific and Ethnic Services within Police, Superintendent Wally Haumaha, says “we are actively looking to recruit young people with an understanding of different cultures and languages. Eleven percent of constabulary employees are Maori, which lags behind the total proportion in the New Zealand population. The need to recruit ambitious young Maori is important in order for police to be increasingly responsive to the needs of the community.”

“The motivation for many Maori recruits is to help others in their community. The Facebook partnership with NGA PIRIHIMANA HOU is an excellent initiative to make police role models more accessible to potential applicants.”

NGA PIRIHIMANA HOU is produced by Adrenalin Ltd for Maori Television. Follow the new recruits each week on Friday at 10pm.

To korero with the NZ Police Recruitment Facebook page search 'NZ Police Recruitment' on Facebook.

M?ori Television is on Freeview channel 5, Sky channel 19 and is also available through the old analogue network with a UHF aerial.

If you are still unsure or need further assistance, call our tune-in helpline 0800 ma tatou (0800 62 82 868)

ENDS

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