With no clear avenue towards a deal, we are now in facilitated bargaining – a new process for both us and Police, but one the mediator referred us to with an expectation/hope of progress.

The timing is striking. On the very day that decision was made, the Coalition Government announced its third Budget and no real funding to grow policing was provided, let alone money to deliver a decent pay increase or to focus on future recruitment and retention.

The message from the Beehive was that Police should focus on reprioritisation and maintain services within broadly flat funding. Just $50 million in new funding to support the frontline is of huge concern to us – this flat-funding approach locks in low pay and prolongs ongoing recruitment and retention issues.

Bluntly, there are no new levers to improve pay or capacity.

It’s the do-more-with-the same-number-of- people wish. Unfortunately, we are very familiar with this, and we shouldn’t be distracted by the Budget’s announcement of new police stations in Whanganui and Greymouth. While it is welcome that two of the worst of policing’s work environments are finally being addressed, the cost to staff has been, and is still, huge. A safe, functional and healthy workplace is not a privilege, it should be non-negotiable. There are plenty more stations on the waiting list for “urgent” repair and/or replacement.

Against this backdrop, I want to acknowledge the strength of your response to the Repay the Risk campaign. Across the motu, your engagement, collegiality and teamwork are truly inspiring. With your combined voice, your willingness to stand together and your determination to advocate for what matters, you have built the visibility denied by your inability to strike.

Your buy-in to this campaign – the first in our 90-year history – has highlighted exactly what it means to be part of the Police Association. Put simply, without you, the association does not exist. Our strength is demonstrated every day through the mutual support shown across all collectives.

It is no overstatement to say that your teamwork, generosity, trust and collaboration have given your bargaining representatives an unprecedented level of backing and resolve. But we are not there yet. We remain some distance from an agreement, and that makes your continued momentum essential.

So, I ask you to keep showing up, keep standing together, keep making the message impossible for politicians and Police management to ignore – as many of you have done through stoically wearing Repay the Risk wristbands, applying stickers, writing about your experiences, sending or delivering postcards and distributing posters.

Don’t forget to share the photos of your unmistakable determination and collegiality with your association.