Police powhiri in Kawhia
Kāwhia has welcomed a new full time police officer, after years without one.
Constable Dave Kraay and his wife Alanah Kraay have arrived in Kāwhia. Photo: Chris Gardner
Constable Dave Kraay, 33, began his first official day on the beat with a pōwhiri at Maketū Marae on Monday with his wife Alana and son Harley, three, at his side.
Residents have been asking for a permanent police presence in the small coastal township since the departure of Senior Constable Jono Moate about three years ago.
The most regular complaint has been about boy racers.
South African born Kraay swapped his career as an electrician for policing in Avondale, Auckland, seven years ago.
He said the New Zealand way of living had attracted him to move to the small coastal township away from the country’s largest city.
“I wanted to raise my boy in a more environmental way and let him get him into the Kiwi culture a bit more. It’s a good opportunity for him and a good opportunity for me to develop my relationships with Māori.”
Constable Dave Kraay, right, with Kāwhia Community Board deputy chair Hinga Whiu, left, Maketu Marae’s Roy Willison, back right, and Ōtorohanga officer Heyden Nunn. Photo: Chris Gardner
The powhiri was organised by Ngaati Hikairo’s Kāwhia Community Board deputy chair Hinga Whiu.
Horahaere Scott, who is fighting to protect inner Kāwhia Harbour from environmental damage from vehicles, told Kraay the community was sick of counting how many vehicles got stuck in the inner harbour.
“You will be welcome to work with us following up the vandals who are desecrating our beach. You coming here, and us powhiriing you, makes you one of us.”
Police officer in charge of Ōtorohanga Police Station, Heyden Nunn, said the last few years had been challenging.
“Dave is going to be very good for this community,” Nunn said.
“He’s here for the right reasons, he’s here for the long term and he will work well with the community.”
Police pōwhiri at Maketū Marae. Photo: Chris Gardner
