What made you join Police in 1986 and what did you hope to achieve?

It was more a whim than anything. I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to do and never saw it as a long-term career. But once I was in the mix, it became infectious mostly due to the amazing variety of work and the incredible people you work with.

Where has been your favourite place to work and why?

I have been very lucky to work across many parts of New Zealand. From a camaraderie and work-life balance perspective, it was Hawke’s Bay. It’s a wonderful place with great colleagues and plenty of work but also a great deal of humour and a good social balance. From strictly a work perspective, it was as a detective senior sergeant in Auckland Metro Crime and Operations (AMCOS). The title alone was cool – Officer in Charge: Investigations, Drugs and Organised Crime, Auckland Metro Crime and Operations. I had a brilliant boss in Bruce Good and the privilege of leading teams of investigators who would be the match of any in the history of NZ Police. The sophistication and quality of the investigations were outstanding and nearly all survived the strongest scrutiny of the courts, testament to the professionalism of that team. I pinched myself when I got the job and still feel proud of being a small part of this great team.

Tell us about the biggest case you ever worked on.

That might be the 200 cows stolen from an Ōtorohanga farm. The farmer wanted me to appear on Police Ten 7 with all their photos. Operation Ghost, while at AMCOS, involved multiple different phases of very sophisticated drug importations across varying Asian organised crime groups. It certainly presented a lot of challenges. It was one of the biggest investigations with multiple offenders and countries involved and called for a lot of international co-operation.

And what about your most challenging case?

As a detective you always want to work on a “whodunit” homicide but be careful what you wish for. After a few months and no great breakthrough, they become very frustrating. I was the first officer on the scene of the murder of farmer Jack Nicholas in the backblocks of Hawke’s Bay in 2004. (Nicholas was shot in the chest with a high-powered rifle. Two .308 cartridges were found at the foot of a power pole about 40 metres from the 71-year-old’s farmhouse. DNA taken from the cartridges was inconclusive.) To this day I am not sure if we really know a lot more than when I first turned up. I know someone was charged and found not guilty. Maybe that was the right result because there is some doubt in my mind. I still wonder if we missed the obvious somewhere.

What memories from your policing career, so far, will never leave you?

They are mainly good, of the great people I worked with. I remember the fun occasions and the irreverent times we had a lot more than the bad things. However, there are a few bad memories I would like to forget but I think they will always be there. I just need to make sure they don’t become a focus.

If your Police colleagues had to describe you in three words, what might they say?

That’s for them, not my ego, but capable and good company, I hope.

If a 20-year-old Invercargill bloke asked for your advice about joining Police, what would you tell him?

Bloke or woman, I would say get a qualification or apprenticeship under your belt so you have other options if policing isn’t for you.

Have you, and Police, lived up to your expectations as a police officer?

I joined on a whim and, in January 2026, it will be 40 years so I think it’s safe to say it well and truly exceeded my expectations. Those who knew me before I joined would probably say I exceeded theirs – few would have picked me as a career cop. I have enjoyed a wonderful career with lots of amazing experiences. I would like to think I have given back, so I reckon we are about even.

How vital is it to have association members – directors, committee members, delegates – representing fellow members?

It is crucial. The association is a membership organisation. We have a small staff and it will only survive through members volunteering and stepping up to these roles. We need more people and greater diversity to step up. It is very easy to criticise but actually taking on a role is how you can make positive change.

What made you decide to run for Police Association president in 2016?

I have been lucky that I have been able to have a police career alongside association involvement. I have always felt that, in the tough job that policing is, the association is a crucial support. It is essential but it is built on volunteers. So I wanted to step up and bring my leadership to such an important organisation.

What surprised you or wasn’t how you thought it would be?

I am not sure I have been surprised because I don’t think you really know what you are getting into. I didn’t realise how the role can take over your life, especially in the early years when it was 24/7.

What situation has been the most challenging for you as president?

The death of a police officer will always be etched in my memory. I will always remember when I got the calls about the deaths of Matthew Hunt and Lyn Fleming. Whenever the phone goes at night, I cross my fingers it is not another such call.

And the most satisfying and/or proudest achievement as president?

While there is still much work to do and you can never rest on your laurels, to go from no females on the board to now having four is important progress for the future of the association. I also believe we have made strong structural changes to the commercial arms of the organisation that will serve our members well into the future.

What are the three most important lessons you’ve learnt from being president?

1. Don’t listen to social media. It is the home of the ill-informed and negative and offers no value.
2. Use your influence wisely. You don’t want to jump on every cause. Pick the ones that will create meaningful change.
3. Remember the vast majority of the public support Police. Value and appreciate this support but don’t take it for granted. Respect that they want answers when issues arise.

What’s the biggest issue the association faces right now?

I think representation. As I said, we need more members to be involved and more diversity across those representatives. How we communicate with members continues to be a challenge that we need to get right.

If your association colleagues had to sum you up in three words, what might they say?

Informed, capable, measured.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever had – or the worst you’ve ignored?

Work out what you can influence and don’t sweat what you can’t.

Who have been your role models during your Police and association careers and why?

The senior women and men who looked after me when I first started in Invercargill. They set strong values that have held me in good stead for the rest of my career. From the association, the “two Gregs”, Greg O’Connor and Greg Fleming have been invaluable.

How have you coped with the more stressful/challenging aspects of policing and as president?

I have always said policing can’t be the only thing in your life. Having friends away from Police has always been important. They remind you that you’re not special and policing isn’t the normal world.

When you’re not reading reports, running to meetings or fronting the cameras, what do you enjoy doing most?

While I am not a big punter, I enjoy following horse racing as a complete change and having some small ownership stakes. It is a very challenging game but lots of fun with good people involved. The association has pretty much put paid to time for golf but I would love to get back into it – awful though I am.

What’s something about you that might surprise people?

The firearms community would be surprised that I think recreational hunters have an important part to play in pest control in New Zealand and the government should start looking at putting a bounty on deer and pigs, which are out of control.

And the big two – why step down now and what’s next?

I think nine years is long enough at the head of an organisation such as the association. A new view and perspective are good for an organisation and while I think it is in a strong position, there are challenges as well and fresh ideas will be good.

I am going to take a break and do some thinking before making any firm decisions. I still have a large amount of long-service leave and this is exactly what it is for, to give you a chance to recharge and consider your future – away from pressure.