Last week the Pasifika o Wairarapa Trust was privileged to host the Wellington Police District Pacific Focus Forum. Chaired by the District Commander, the group, comprising of senior officers and community leaders, meet every quarter, or when necessary. Its overarching agenda items are ensuring the police meet its commitment and obligations to deliver on various policies affecting the Pacific community, as well as being a conduit in developing and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships between the Police and Pacific diaspora.
Iwi liaison Te Roera Puna, Inspector Rob Rutene, Senior Sgt Arnold Politini, Forum member Caroline Mareko, Superintendent Fata Willie Fanene, Inspector Peter Stokes.
Front Row:
Sergeant Ngametua Meti, Forum member Sai Lealea, Forum member Maureen Tukaroa-Betham, Wellington District Commander Corrie Pannell, Forum member Luther Toloa, and Assistant Commissioner Uraia Vakaruru.
Not 1: Assistant Commissioner Vakaruru is the highest-ranking Pasifika officer in the New Zealand Police.
Note 2: There are 953 Pasifika police officers (8.27%) and 1340 non-sworn (11.63%)
