Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers, Minister of Police the Hon Mark Mitchell, members of the police executive and wing patron, Dame Noeline Taurua congratulated the 87 graduating constables from Wing 386 today.
Families and friends celebrated the newly attested police officers at Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua this afternoon acknowledging the successful completion of their initial training course at the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC).
There are some likeminded individuals in the wing with six of the graduates having previously worked in the Southern Police Emergency Communication Centre as 111 call takers.
Of the 33 recruits who were born overseas, seven of them were born in India.
Twenty-five recruits speak more than one language and 20 recruits have completed university degrees or postgraduate qualifications.
Both top award winners were leadership material from the get-go and won awards at their respective secondary schools.
Top award winner and former Katikati College Head Boy is Constable Kaha Bluegum of Ngāi Te Rangi iwi.
"The recruit training has taught me a lot about myself and it was a challenging time. Coming out of college I feel equipped with skills and knowledge that I did not have before. I look forward to being the change in the community and my whanau.
Kaha will be based in Waikato District.
Second Top/Patron's Award winner and the winner of the Leadership Award is Leo Wynyard Winiata of Ngātiwai iwi. Leo, like Kaha, was Head Boy at his High School, Whangarei Boys.
"While training at the RNZPC, all I wanted to do was make my family proud and honour the sacrifices they have made for me to be here. I joined Police because I enjoy working with people."
Leo will be based in Northland District.
Deployment:
The new constables will start their first day of duty in their Police districts on the week beginning Monday 11 August 2025 and will continue their training on the job as probationary constables.
Northland 7, Tāmaki Makaurau a total of 21 and broken down into the three districts: Auckland City 5, Waitematā 7, Counties Manukau 9, Waikato 5, Bay of Plenty 7, Eastern 6, Central 12, Wellington 13, Canterbury 10, Southern 6.
All Awards:
Minister's Award recognising top student: Constable Kaha Bluegum posted to Waikato District.
Commissioner's Award for Leadership and the Patron's Award for second top student: Constable Leo Wynyard Winiata posted to Northland District.
The Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Award: Constable Kim Jepsen posted to Northland District.
The Firearms Award: Constable Chantelle Jordaan posted to Canterbury District.
The Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award: Constable Christian Leathers posted to Central District.
Demographics:
28.7 percent are female, 71.3 percent are male. New Zealand European make up 67.8 percent of the wing, with Māori 11.5 percent, Pasifika 6.8 percent, Asian 12.6 percent, Other 1.1 percent.
Dame Noeline Taurua DNZM: Patron of Wing 386:
Dame Noeline Taurua (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua) is a highly respected and accomplished netball coach and leader in high-performance sport. She is also a netball champion who represented New Zealand in the Silver Ferns. She became the Silver Ferns coach in 2018 and led the team to become world champions at the 2019 Netball World Cup. Success continued, with Noeline guiding the team to a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. In 2024, the Silver Ferns claimed the Constellation Cup from their Australian rivals. Her success spans both sides of the Tasman. She has coached Queensland's Sunshine Coast Lightning team, the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic team, and the Southern Steel team.
Some of her recent awards acknowledging her coaching prowess have included Queensland Sport Coach of the Year (2018), Tai Tokerau Māori Sports Awards Coach of the Year (2018), Aotearoa Māori Sports Awards Coach of the Year (2019), Aotearoa Māori Sports Awards Supreme Award (2019), Halberg Coach of the Year (2020) and Halberg Leadership Award (2020).
As a netball player, Noeline was a goal attack for the Silver Ferns from 1993 to 1999, earning a silver medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 1995 Netball World Championships. Although a knee injury ended her 34-test playing career, her passion for the sport led to her illustrious coaching journey that has now spanned over 30 years.
In the 2020 New Year Honours, Noeline was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to netball. She has also received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia, for her leadership, commitment, and innovation in high-performance sport. Noeline currently serves on the High-Performance Sport New Zealand Board. She takes great pride in being a mother of five children and a grandmother to four.
