Welcome to the New Zealand Police Association

The New Zealand Police Association was registered on 28 October 1936 and is open to all sworn and non-sworn employees of the Police.
Membership is voluntary but virtually all who are eligible belong.
The Association was formed after a long struggle by rank and file Police through years of poor pay and difficult conditions which were harshly enforced by their employer.
Originally it was an offence under the Police regulations for Police members to "form a combination" for the purpose of discussing Police business. Despite this many attempts were made to form a body to work to improve Police pay and conditions.
In 1913 a group of Auckland-based Police formed a trade union style organisation based on the model provided by Australian Police Associations. This organisation provided the basis for the current rules of the Police Association.
Before and during World War One Police joined the PSA. However most left after the Government dropped public service pay (and Police pay).
The Labour Government which took power in November 1935 not only permitted the formation of a Police Association, the then Police Minister Peter Fraser actively encouraged it.
He said the Police needed a body to present the views of the rank and file of the force on improvements to the job.
Since then the Association has worked to improve the pay and conditions of members, to improve the level of service the Police provides to the public and to comment on law and order issues.

The objectives of the NZ Police Association are:

• To improve working conditions and promote the general welfare and contentment of members;
• To represent members’ interests and concerns and to be the official channel of communication between members of the Association, the Minister of Police and the Commissioner of Police;
• To foster a feeling of commitment, unity and good fellowship throughout the Police;
• To provide support for members and their dependants in need;
• To inform members through the monthly New Zealand Police Association Police News

The primary services of the Police Association to members are :

• Investigation and negotiation of pay and conditions;
• Enforcement of employment agreements and contracts and of decisions.
• Occupational based legal assistance to protect the professional interests of members in matters of a legal nature arising out of their employment;
• Ensuring the integrity and independence of the police is maintained;
• Conveying members’ concerns to the Police Department, the media and the public. While individual members are restricted in what they can say publicly, there are no such restrictions on the Association;
• Promoting only members’ interests, not favouring any political party or interest group;
• Advising on employment rights and obligations;
• Supporting members who have been disadvantaged or unfairly treated, and acting as advocate in personal grievances;
• Negotiating group benefits and schemes in co-operation with the New Zealand Police Welfare Fund, using members’ collective strength.

The Association exists to ensure that the wellbeing of its members and their families is enhanced.
It will achieve this mission by :

• Development of a framework in which its members can communicate their interests;
• Provision of selected industrial, welfare representation and commercial services;
• Influencing the police and legislative environment and the communities in which the members work;
• Effective use of resources, technology , research and negotiation;
• Constantly developing and measuring the effectiveness of that which it undertakes.

In the pursuit of its objectives the Association will -

• Provide competent, innovative management and leadership acting with honesty and integrity at all times;
• Take an independent stand on any matter, and not compromise its position;
• Respect the dignity and merit of all members and create an environment where they feel comfortable in bringing forward suggestions and complaints;
• Treat all members - irrespective of service, classification or rank - fairly and equally in accordance with good employer principles;
• Encourage improvements in the health and education of our members and strive to provide a safe, secure, well-equipped work environment for them;
• Consult with and keep our members informed on issues affecting them or their work;
• Endeavour to achieve fair and adequate compensation and conditions for our members with equal opportunity for employment, development and advancement;
• Conduct our dealings with members in a friendly manner and strengthen our "family spirit";
• Treat our employees in accordance with the principles applied to our members;
• Operate an organisational structure which is simple in form, lean and with few layers;
• Act promptly and to high quality standards in the provision of services to our members and in our dealings with other organisations with whom we relate;
• Be a good community citizen supporting good works and charities and protecting the environment.

The President is elected by the Annual Conference of members and serves a 3 year term. However, the incumbent can seek re-election for ensuing 3 year terms. Following the Annual Conference of 2007 Greg has been reappointed for a further term which will carry through to 2010. 

The President chairs the Association Board of Directors and the Police Welfare Fund Ltd Board.

The current Chief Executive / National Secretary, is Chris Pentecost.

The Chief Executive/National Secretary is appointed by Conference Delegates and holds office for such term and upon such conditions as may from time to time be determined by Conference.

The conference delegates also elect two Vice-Presidents.

They are 

• Detective Inspector - Stuart Mills, Police National Headquarters.
• Detective Sergeant - Chris Cahill, Otahuhu, Auckland.

Vice-Presidents are elected by the Annual Conference of members and serve a 3 year term, with elections taking place in the alternate year to the election for President.

The Association Board of Directors comprises the President, two Vice-Presidents and one elected Regional Director for each of the 7 Regions. All Region Directors are serving members of Police.

The day to day responsibilities for the operation of the Association and its welfare functions are vested in the Board of Directors who report to Conference Delegates on all required functions and matters and any specific issues requiring Conference attention.

The Board of Directors meet monthly in Wellington.

The current members of the Association Board of Directors are :

Greg O’Connor (President/Chairman), Stuart Mills (Vice-President), Chris Cahill  (Vice-President), Anthony (Jug) Price (Region 1), David Pizzini (Region 2), Mel Ridley (Region 3,) Luke Shadbolt (Region 4), Ron Lek (Region 5), Craig Prior (Region 6), Tracey MacLennan (Region 7).

Included on the Welfare Fund Ltd Board of Directors are one representative each of the Commissioner, Retired Members and Managers’ Guild. The Welfare Fund Board and its subsidiary Boards meet bi-monthly in Wellington.

An Annual Conference of District Delegates is held in Wellington in the month of October each year.

The Annual Conference has the power to determine the policy of the Association on all matters affecting the Association or any member thereof.

At present, there are 31 Delegates representing the current Association District/Area structure.

Each District/Area has an executive (Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) and a committee representative of District/Area membership.

The District/Area Committee is the medium of communication between members of the District/Area, the Board of Directors and the National Secretary and attends to all matters affecting the members within the District/Area. The District/Area Committee also communicates with Regional Directors and Regional Committees on matters of regional interest or those being advanced on behalf of a District/Area or Branch.

As a member of the Police Association you can also benefit from membership of the Police Welfare  Fund.

The Funds Benefits include:

• Benevolent grants and benefits
• Holiday Homes
• Life insurance for you and your spouse.
• Police Health Plan Ltd - Offering a range of health insurance options for you and your family.
• General insurance for your home, contents, car and boat.
• Home Loan package
• Long term savings/superannuation plan.
• Travel Insurance.
• Financial Planning Assistance

This is the package the welfare fund has put together for you.

In times of need, the Police Welfare Fund can make a grant to you to ease personal and financial burdens.

• Birth Benefit (Full members)
  $50 on the birth of your child and $200 for twins.
• Adoption(Full members)
  $300 to help with the costs of adopting a child.
• ACC Assistance(Full members)
  Available if you're making an ACC claim.
• Benevolent Benefits(Full members)
  Available in cases where you might not be covered by Police Health Plan, the Association or any other aspect of the Welfare fund. It's available if you're seriously injured at work or facing financial or emotional hardship.
• Hospital TV Hire(Full members)
  Police Welfare Fund will meet the costs of TV hire if you or any member of your immediate family is admitted to a public hospital.
• Relationship Counselling(Full members)
  $150 is available if you ever feel the need for expert help or relationship counselling. However, this won't be paid in addition to specialist medical claims.
• Death Benefit(Full members)
  $2,500 is payable on the death of a member's dependant child or a member's current spouse.
  Most claims are made through Police Association Field Officers, a Welfare Fund Representative or your local Association Chairperson or Secretary. Birth and adoption benefits are claimed through National Office.

As a Welfare Fund Member, there are additional services available to you and your family. Information, application forms and brochures on all of these services are available from the Association's National Office at enquiries@policeassn.org.nz.

• Police Fire & General Insurance  
  The group Fire & General insurance scheme gives you home, contents, vehicle and boat insurance at very competitive rates.
  Queries on policies and premiums should be made at National Office. Contact Police Welfare Fund Insurances Ltd for a free quote today.
• PolicePlan  
  PolicePlan is a cash accumulation scheme to help you and your family save for retirement. PolicePlan has no "Front-end" charges, no penalties for withdrawal, complete contribution flexibility and you can stay in the scheme if you resign or retire from the police.
• Supplementary Life Insurance 
  This competitively-priced life and disability insurance is for you to "top-up" your own life cover and it is also open to your spouse.
• Police Home Loan
  The Police Home Loan package, provided by The National Bank, has attractive benefits for members of the Police Welfare Fund and their immediate family. A wide choice of Police Home Loans are available, designed to fit members unique needs.  Pre-approvals can be given prior to selection of a property. 
• Travel Insurance
  Competitive cover available at discounted rates to Police Health Plan members. Refer to the current Travel Insurance brochure for further details.
• Police Financial Planning: members can access professional financial advice from Spicers, one of NZ's leading financial planning providers, at a discounted rate.

Police holiday homes, spread throughout the country, make your holiday easy and economical to plan. Full members can book up to a year in advance, except when ballots are conducted during the Christmas and Easter periods. Associate members can book up to three months in advance. With a low overnight tariff, these homes are real value for money. All units are fully self-contained with blankets, crockery, cooking utensils, a fully equipped laundry and, so you don't miss out on any sport, a colour television and video. All you need to take is your own food and linen. See more information on Holiday Homes or if you are a member - make a booking online.

Being a Police Officer is a rewarding and challenging occupation.

However there are always risks. In recognition of these risks members are covered by a Life Insurance policy provided by Police Welfare Fund Ltd and subsidised by the New Zealand Police.

The Policy provides 24-hour cover for Death, Vital Care and Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) for the sworn member and death cover for the member’s nominated spouse/partner. 

When there's a claim, the Police Welfare Fund makes an immediate payment, within hours, to the surviving spouse or a person nominated by you.(Ensure your nomination form is kept up to date.) This amount is deducted from the final life insurance payout, made on receipt of a death certificate. This life insurance is payable regardless of the cause of death and coverage is 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information on Life insurance, click here

The Police Welfare Fund offers you medical insurance to reimburse costs ranging from a trip to the local doctor to major surgery. The three levels of cover are: Comprehensive, Basic and Surgical. Please refer to the separate Healthplan brochure for Policy details and premiums.

For convenient access to the benefits of the Police Welfare Fund, you only need to make a fortnightly deduction from your pay.
Medical insurance for family members will be at a cost additional to the Welfare Fund Package. For details on rates click here.

If you want to know more about how the  Police Welfare Fund can help you and your family, contact your local Police Association Representative, Police Welfare Fund Representative, Police Association Field Officer or if you wish to email us just click here.

To check out subscription rates and find out how to join click here