Home Forums Blogs Articles Photos Videos Contact FAQ

New Zealand Police - Origins and history

New Zealand Police - Origins and history: Encyclopedia II - New Zealand Police - Origins and history

The New Zealand Constabulary was established in 1840 along the lines of similar constabularies that existed in Britain at that time. The constabulary was initially part police and part militia. It was known as the New Zealand Armed Constabulary from 1867 and took part in land wars against Maori opposed to colonial expansion at that time. The New Zealand Police Force was established as a national force under the Police Act of 1886. In 1958, the word ForceSee also:

New Zealand Police: Encyclopedia II - New Zealand Police - Origins and history

New Zealand Police - Origins and history

The New Zealand Constabulary was established in 1840 along the lines of similar constabularies that existed in Britain at that time. The constabulary was initially part police and part militia. It was known as the New Zealand Armed Constabulary from 1867 and took part in land wars against Maori opposed to colonial expansion at that time.

The New Zealand Police Force was established as a national force under the Police Act of 1886. In 1958, the word Force was removed from the name when legislation was revised.

During the 1981 Springboks tour, the Police formed two riot squads known as Red Squad and Blue Squad to control anti-apartheid protesters who laid siege to rugby fields where the touring team was playing.

In July 1985, the New Zealand Police arrested two French Security Service operatives after the Rainbow Warrior was bombed and sunk in Auckland harbour. The rapid arrest was attributed to the high level of public support for the investigation.

A member of the New Zealand Police, Sergeant Stewart Graeme Guthrie, was the last civilian recipient of the George Cross, which is awarded for conspicuous gallantry. He fired a warning shot near a gunman at Aramoana on November 13, 1990, but was killed by a return shot from the gunman, who also killed twelve others.

On 1 July 1992, the Traffic Safety Service of the Ministry of Transport was merged with the Police. Up until that time, the Ministry of Transport and local councils had been responsible for traffic law enforcement. In 2001, the Police re-established a specialist road policing branch known as the Highway Patrol. Today the Police is responsible for enforcing traffic law, while local councils enforce parking regulations.

More recently, the New Zealand Police has been involved in peacekeeping missions to East Timor and the Solomon Islands, to assist these countries with establishing law and order after civil wars. They have also been involved in Community Police training in Bougainville, in conjunction with Australian Federal Police.