75 years of women in policing national celebratory parade
A special parade will take place in central Wellington next Monday the 1st of August to celebrate 75 Years of Women in
Policing.
The parade, led by Commissioner Mike Bush, Minister of Police Judith Collins and victims’ advocate and NZ Police wing
patron Louise Nicholas, will feature around 800 police officers and police staff from across the country, retired staff,
the NZ Police Pipe Band, women dressed in replica uniforms from across the decades, police dogs, puppies, old style
police cars and much more.
The event is a culmination of a national torch relay which began its tour of the country from Cape Reinga and Bluff on
June 24.
Since then the relay has passed through all twelve Police Districts, travelling down the North Island and up the South
island and involving many staff and the communities in which they serve.
The two halves of the torch will be joined together as one and carried in the national parade by one of the first women
police officers in New Zealand, Marie Storey, who joined in 1943, and one of our newest women recruits.
The 75th Anniversary of Women in Policing is a national celebration to acknowledge retired and current women staff who
have been an integral part in shaping New Zealand Police into the organisation it is today.
The parade will start from Civic Square at 12:15pm and will travel down Mercer Street, onto Willis Street then down
Lambton Quay to Parliament, where it will be welcomed by the NZ Police Kapa Haka group.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush says a parade is a fitting way to end the national relay and an opportunity for the public
to join in the celebrations.
“Seventy five years is a significant milestone and I will be immensely proud to walk alongside just some of the many
fantastic police staff, both men and women from around New Zealand.
“Over the last couple of months many staff have been engaging with their communities in activities to mark the 75th
anniversary, they are passionate advocates for police and have showcased police as a great career choice for women.
I know we will recruit even more capable women into our organisation in the future,” says Commissioner Bush.
The New Zealand Police invite retired staff who would like to participate in the Parade to join them at Civic Square at
11:30am.
They also invite the public and family and friends of police staff to come along on Monday and enjoy the parade.
The public are also advised that road closures will be in place for the parade and some traffic delays are likely.
ENDS