This DigitalNZ Story looks at the journey taken by the first women recruited to join the NZ Police who began their training on 3 June 1941 and their changing roles (and uniforms) over the decades. A timeline is also given of the career and training firsts for policewomen. Times have changed from when the criteria to be accepted as a police recruit included being between the ages of 25 - 40 years, unmarried or widowed, knowing shorthand and able to use a typewriter! If you fancy a career change - NZ's oldest police graduate was a woman who was 57 years of age in 2021.

FIRST WOMEN began POLICE training on 3 JUNE 1941 

The New Zealand Police Force was established under the Police Force Act, 1886, which came into operation on 1 September of that year. Fifty-two years later, under Section 45 of the Statutes Amendment Act (1938), women could be appointed as police officers. On 3 June 1941 the first ten women recruited as police began their training at Wellington. After completing the three-month training course, the women were attached to the detective branch as temporary constables in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Their role mainly involved supporting the welfare of women, young girls and children. Subsequent graduates, were also appointed to office duties. Eventually, women constables gained permanent employment in 1947. As of 30th April 2021, women comprised 35.8% of all New Zealand Police staff and 23.5% of constabulary staff.

Sources:

• New Zealand Police:  New Zealand Policewomen 75 years timeline 

• RNZ: NZ's oldest police graduate celebrates after 40 year wait (18 March, 2021)

• New Zealand Police: Can I be a cop? What do I need?

Spot the changes in uniform over the years!

A chronological summary of the changes to the uniform worn by policewomen over the decades can be viewed on the New Zealand Police website under Women in uniform - What we wore. 

For the first ten years uniforms were not worn by policewomen who were required to wear civilian clothing, including hats and gloves during summer and winter, when on duty. During 1942 and 1943, women MPs had recommended to the House of Representatives that uniforms be provided, but met with a mixed reaction. It was not until December 1952 that policewomen were issued with an uniform and a gabardine raincoat.   

The policewoman's initial uniform consisted of a navy, broad-brimmed felt hat with a police badge, open necked button front navy tunic / jacket, white shirt (men wore a blue-grey shirt) with a detachable collar, navy tie, three--quarter length navy skirt with a belt, gloves, black stockings and laced up shoes. For an historic overview of badges, see information sheet compiled by Ken Bewer: 'NZ Police Badges': https://www.ipa.org.nz/pdfs/NZ_Police_Badges.pdf

In 1989, a pregnancy uniform for policewomen became available: ‘a vitric blue smock with patch pockets worn with the regulation police shirt, tie, epaulettes and number.’  Two uniforms were issued which were to be returned afterwards.  See photo: New Zealand Police: Women in uniform - What we wore  

Diverse range of policing roles over the decades

Nationally, the New Zealand Police has 12 Districts (nine in the North Island and three in the South), which are administered from the Police national headquarters in Wellington.  

• The Chief Executive of Police, known as the Commissioner, is appointed by the Governor General and is accountable to the Minister of Police for the administration of police services. 

• The Executive leadership team comprises the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, Deputy Chief Executives, & the Director of the Office of the Commissioner.  

• Each of the 12 districts have a District Commander and a team of Area Commanders who manage the day-to-day operations. 

• As of 30th April 2021, women comprised 35.8% of all New Zealand Police staff and 23.5% of constabulary staff.  

Prior to being eligible for formal police training in 1941, women had been involved in various roles such as police matrons of stations and as female searchers. As trained police, women were initially involved working with women, young girls and children; and/or  office duties. Over the years, the range of roles for policewomen has diversified including, for example, traffic officer, community constable, dog handler, inspector, forensic investigator, Armed Offenders Squad, Dive Squad, Maritime Unit, Air Support 'Eagle' Unit, and leadership positions such as District Commander.  

For a current list of the range of roles, see Police: Structure which includes: Commissioner and Executive, Police teams and units, and Police districts.   

TIMELINE:

The campaign for policewomen: 1890s - 1910s

The New Zealand Police Force was established under the Police Force Act, 1886 which came into operation on 1st September that year.  Prior to that date policing had been carried out by members of the Armed Constabulary, which was then disbanded. Some of its members were transferred to the newly constituted Police Force and others to the Permanent Militia, later renamed the Permanent Force which evolved into being the Royal New Zealand Artillery.  

The journey since then to appoint women as police officers was advocated by women's groups and other national organisations. They proposed that women police would help safeguard the welfare of women and children and be involved with courtwork. Opposition from various sectors, including senior police officers, discounted the suitability of women for carrying out the range of policing work performed by men. In 1916, the Minister of Justice (Hon. A. L. Herdman) declared it would be "folly" to appoint women with the full powers of police officers and proposed having patrol officers.  

The campaign for policewomen: 1920s - 1930s

The support for appointing policewomen continued during the 1920s and 1930s with lively debate drawing on the examples of other countries, such as Australia, Canada, England, Scotland and the United States. However, in 1929 the Minister of Justice (Hon. Thomas Mason Wilford who was appointed from 10 December 1928 to 10 December 1929) stated that women would not be appointed as police. After Peter Fraser became Minister in Charge of Police on 6 December 1935, he set history in motion by announcing in 1938 that women will be appointed as police. This led to the Statutes Amendment Act  being assented to on 16 September 1938 whereby Section 45 provided the authority to introduce women as police in NZ:

Police Force. 45.

The powers conferred by the Police Force Act, 1913, to appoint members of the Police Force (including temporary members) are hereby extended so as to include power to appoint women to be members of the Force, and all references in the said Act to the Force and to the members of the Force shall be deemed to include the women members thereof..  

Training programme developed - 1941

The admission of women, which had been previously resisted by senior police officers, was agreed to as men were being recruited into the wartime military. The position description and training programme were developed, drawing on overseas examples. They had to be between 25-40 years; unmarried or widowed; have ‘superior education’ and common sense; know shorthand and able to use a  typewriter. A number of applications were received for the first intake of ten women on 3 June 1941. The recruits were selected by the Police Commissioner Denis Cummings and their three-month training course was held at a depot on Rintoul Street in Newtown, Wellington.

When their  training was completed, a parade was held on 1 October 1941 at which the women graduates were addressed by the Prime Minister Peter Fraser. 

 "Addressing the women on parade yesterday, the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser), told them that they represented an innovation in the Police Force, and that the selection had been made with very great care. He was pleased with the progress they had made, and with the results of their examinations.  As pioneer policewomen, he felt that they realised that a great responsibility rested on their shoulders. The Government was particularly anxious that the experiment should be an unqualified success, and he had confidence that the women who were going out on duty would work honestly, earnestly, and efficiently in the discharge of their responsible tasks, and that the result would bring benefit to the community, particularly to women and children."

Source: Papers Past: Evening Post: "A responsible task" (Vol. CXXXII, Issue 81, 2 Oct 1941, p. 10)

Women in Blue - CAREER & TRAINING FIRSts

Following the training of the first intake of policewomen in 1941, there has been an ongoing recruitment campaign to increase the numbers. Over the decades there have been many notable career and training firsts for women within the New Zealand Police.

The following information has been extracted from New Zealand Police:  New Zealand Policewomen 75 years timeline and iiiustrated with images and articles available on DIgitaNZ.

                   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

During 1940s, career & training firsts for policewomen included:  

• 1941: The first 10 policewomen were recruited in June. They had to be between 25-40 years, unmarried or widowed, know shorthand and able to use a            typewriter. After training they were attached to the detective branch as temporary constables at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. 
• 1941:  First policewoman to make an arrest (Constable Edna Pearce in November)
• 1941:  Constable Edna Pearce was seconded to the Department of Internal Affairs to take charge of an internment camp for Japanese women and children at           Pokeno in the Waikato
• 1945:  Policewomen were allowed to join the Police Association  
• 1946:  Members of the New Zealand Police Force had to gain permission to marry. When the first couple applied (Constables Peggy McKenzie and Bill             Hedley) the Commissioner passed their request to the Prime Minister to make the decision. 
• 1947:  Policewomen were granted permanent appointment 
• 1948:  Constables Rose Dudfield and Flora McDonald spend three months in Sydney on an exchange working with Australian policewomen 
• 1949:  A total of 52 policewomen had been trained but only 39 remained as most left when they married 

Two of the graduates were assigned to Christchurch: Constables Nancy Aitchinson and Molly Spearman. "As women weren't issued with uniforms in those days, and instead wore civilian clothing, it made them ideal for undercover work. They were used in seeking evidence of sly grogging, bookmaking and in searching ships and opium dens for women.". After thirteen years at Christchurch, Nancy transferred to Napier where she retired in 1970. She was awarded the Coronation Medal in 1953 and her 28-year service clasp at the Christmas Day parade at the Napier Police Station by when she was "the oldest serving member of the Women’s Division of the Police in New Zealand" . (Source: New Zealand Police: Policewomen over the decades: Nancy Aitchinson.)

The third intake of women to join the police force in 1943 included Constable Marie Storey.  "By the time Marie joined  it was thought that it was better for experienced women to explain aspects of the job to the new trainees, so Marie and the other female recruits in her intake were often given lectures and on-the-job training from women who had been in the job for a few years... During her time as a policewomen, Marie and the other women were often used as decoys to help catch offenders...Marie married and left the New Zealand Police in 1947 when she became pregnant with her first child."  (Source: New Zealand Police: Policewomen over the decades: Marie Storey.)

During 1950s, career & training firsts for policewomen included: 

. 1950: Police driver delivering constables to enquiries, escorting prisoners and delivering documents (Constable Josephine                    Brophy)                                                                                                                                                                                              . 1951:  Policewomen are officially recognised and their appointments appear in New Zealand Police Gazette for the first time.      . 1952:  Policewomen are issued with uniforms                                                                                                                                          . 1953:  Train as detectives (Constables Molly Sim and Nora Crawford)                                                                                                    . 1954:  Commissioner Compton issues a new policy that required approval of the Police force for the marriage of a                                   policewoman while she is still in the force                                                                                                                                    . 1954:  First policewoman appointed to the Hamilton Police Station (Constable Edna Pearce who retired at 60)                              . 1955:  First woman to work in Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB)  (Constable Nora Parker who retired from CIB in 1978)            . 1956:  Policewomen began training with their male colleagues for the first time and made up 3.20% of the Police Force              . 1956:  First policewoman to graduate at the top of her training course (Pam Anderson who later married and became Pam                       Sowter)                                                                                                                                                                                              . 1957:  Awarded the Minister's Prize (Pamela Anderson)                                                                                                                          . 1958:  First policewoman to reach the rank of detective (Nora Crawford)                                                                                              . 1958:  All provincial HQ stations except Timaru had policewomen                                                                                                        . 1959:  Maternity leave of up to 6 months was granted

During 1960s, career & training firsts for policewomen included: 

 . 1961:   Sergeant in charge of Auckland’s women’s division (Detective Elizabeth Bennett)                                                             . 1963:  The entry age was lowered to 20 - 33 years. Applicants had to be at least 5 ft 5 in. tall, of good health, of proved                            character, & of British nationality                                                                                                                                             . 1963:  Policewomen in training taught to handle .32 calibre Colt pistols and .303 calibre rifles.                                                         . 1965:  Equal pay for policewomen advocated by Commissioner Spencer, which Cabinet approved. Previously, women                             received 80% of a male Constable’s pay.                                                                                                                                   . 1965:  At the end of March 1965 there were 51 policewomen in the New Zealand Police                                                                   . 1966:  Women’s division was disbanded by Commissioner Spencer who directed that policewomen be employed on all                           general policing duties                                                                                                                                                                   . 1966:  Sgt Elizabeth (Betty) Bennett was first policewoman to become a commissioned officer and was transferred as an                          inspector to Police National Headquarters; Detective Jean Dougal to Detective Sergeant; & Constable Edna Pearce                      retires after 25 years.                                                                                                                                                                     . 1969: There are 69 policewomen. 

During 1970s, career & training firsts for policewomen included:

• 1970:  74 policewomen: 2.37% of the 'sworn" Police Force. (Unsworn staff were non-constabulary.) 
• 1970:  Longest serving policewomen (Nancy Aitchison who was amongst the first ten recruits in 1941, retired aged 60)
• 1970:  Commissioner Sharp reactivated earlier initiatives to fully integrate policewomen into the service 
• 1971:  Sergeant in charge of a duty section (Constable Dorothy Parkes)
• 1971:  Radio technician (Constable Stephanie Butel) 
• 1972:  Full-time prosecution duties (Detective Sergeant Jean Dougall)
• 1973:  Full-time tele-printer operator (Constable Helen Price)
• 1974:  Permission is given for the optional extra of long leather boots to be worn with the short and fashionable uniform skirts
• 1975:  Linley Shute is the first policewoman to be named NZ Police sportsperson of the year  
• 1977:  Detective Inspector (Jean Dougall) 
• 1977:  Human Rights Commission Act S 16(1) allowed police to discriminate against women at recruitment level. The Executive agree that policewomen            should make up no more than 4% of the service. Number currently 190 (4.39%). 
• 1978:  Police photographers (Constables Rosemary Gibson and Robin Christian)
• 1978:  Senior fingerprint technician (Sergeant Anne Waugh) 

During 1980s, career & training firsts for policewomen included:

• 1980: 210 policewomen (4.23%)
• 1980: First woman to be in charge of a smaller station (Sergeant Paula Stevens posted to Greymouth) 
• 1981:  40 years of women in policing celebrated with a dinner in Hamilton attended by Commissioner Bob Walton
• 1981:  Diploma of Police Studies at Massey University graduate (Constable Marie-Therese Scott)
• 1981:  During the Springbok Tour, a few policewomen are issued with shields, helmets and Monadrock PR 24 batons. 
• 1982:  Dame Te Atairangikaahu Cadet Wing was the first to have female cadets. (There were 2 graduates in 1983 when the cadet system was suspended.) 
• 1982:  The first recruit wing with more female recruits than males - Wing 82 has 12 women and 11 men 
• 1984:  District Arms Officer (Constable Lynne Clark) 
• 1985:  First mother to graduate from the Police College. (Constable Lorraine Parkinson, 93 Wing). Prior to this women with dependent children were not             accepted as recruits. 
• 1985:  Community Constable (Constable Elaine Tunnell) 
• 1985:  Sent overseas on an investigative brief (Detective Cushla Watson was involved with the Rainbow Warrior's case)
• 1985:  First policewoman to receive the 35 year long service award on her retirement (Constable Rosalie Sterritt) 
• 1986:  Wing patron (Detective Nora Crawford)
• 1986:  Recruit instructor at the Police College (Sergeant Anne Waugh) 
• 1988:  Received Merit Award for bravery (Constable Carmen Dickison) 
• 1989:  First time NZ policewomen served overseas. (Three women  joined the team of 32 police members selected to go to UN mission in Namibia.)  
• 1989: Constable Marlene Rangi received a special performance of duties 
• 1989:  A pregnancy uniform for policewomen became available: ‘a vitric blue smock with patch pockets worn with the regulation police shirt, tie, epaulettes            and number.’  Two uniforms were issued and returned afterwards.  

Also, during 1984, the first female Minister of Police was appointed - Ann Hercus (MP for Lyttleton). For a list of male and female position-holders since 1896, see: Wikipedia: Minister of Police (New Zealand).

Employment conditions reviewed

During 1993, the Women in Policing Consultative Committee was established. An internal survey on sexual harassment found that 62% of all female staff felt that they had been victims (which was in line with surveys conducted in other Government Departments).  A pregnancy policy was introduced in 1996 which included guidelines for continuing employment. Flexible employment option policy was introduced in 1997 to allow part-time and job sharing opportunities. During 1998, the New Zealand Police hosted the Australasian Women in Policing Advisory Committee where an assessment plan was developed to give an overview of the major issues relating to policewomen in Australia and New Zealand.  Two Women in Policing Conferences were held in New Zealand to discuss the issues raised.  An outcome was the Commissioner including EEO in all business and management strategies. 

During 1990s, career & training firsts for policewomen included:

• 1991:   The recruiting age limit was relaxed to allow former policewomen to re-join and others to commence after having children 
• 1991:  Certified firearms instructor (Constable Roseanne Rix)
• 1991:  Selected for an Armed Offenders Course (Constable Shane Collins of Dunedin) 
• 1992:  Merger of the Traffic Safety Service with Police (1561 staff including 42 female warranted traffic officers become police officers) 
• 1992:  Operational armed offenders group (Constable Wendy Robilliard). (The Armed offenders Squad was first introduced in 1964.) 
• 1992:  Command of the Christchurch armed offenders squad (Paula Stevens) 
• 1992:  First grandmother to graduate from the Police College (Rena Keightly)
• 1993:  Police Air Support Unit (Constable Jacqui Emerre)
• 1993:  Dive Squad after completing a Navy dive course (Constable Angela Morris) 
• 1993:  First director of the Crime Prevention Unit at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in Wellington (Sandra Manderson) 
• 1993:  First non-sworn member of the New Zealand Police to receive a silver merit award (former Constable Jackie Cantley working at Morrinsville &             Hamilton Police Stations)  
• 1995:  Dog Section (Constable Debbie Grumball joined with her police dog ‘Jake’) 
• 1996:  In charge of a ‘one man’ station (at Tokomaru Bay) (Constable Fiona Paiere)
• 1997:  Flexible employment option policy introduced to allow part-time and job sharing opportunities 
• 1998:  Motorcycle officer (Constable Julie Hinton-Cooper)
• 1998:  Area Commander for New Plymouth (Anne Waugh)
• 1999:  Superintendent – National Manager of organisational performance (Inspector Sandra Manderson) 
• 1999:  In ten years the number of policewomen has grown from 334 to 1068 and female recruits make up 25.4% of a recruit wing

Diversity in the Police Force

During 2000, all staff  attended inclusiveness training to develop a better understanding of the gay community.  Two years later, the on-line newsletter Ten Percent was founded to provide information for gay and lesbian staff, and Diversity Liaison Officers were appointed. 

 A "Women in Policing Plan" was produced in 2003 "aimed at recruiting more women in  the police, to promote an organisation that values, inspires and  empowers women to maximise their aspirations and retain them in the job.  It was also designed to support the needs and aspirations of Māori,  Pacific and other ethnic women in policing." (Source: New Zealand Police: 75 years of Policewomen firsts).   

The Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct was released in 2007. Dame Margaret Bazely made 60 recommendation for change concerning the way New Zealand Police deal with women, both inside and outside the organisation. Recommendations included:

• Recommendation 50:  NZ Police should continue to increase the numbers of women and those from ethnic minority groups in order to promote a diverse organisational culture that reflects the community it serves
• Recommendation 51:  The State Services Commissioner is to carry out an annual health of the organisation check to audit police culture (in particular, whether the organisation provides a safe environment for female staff and staff from minority groups). 

 During 2000s, career & training firsts for policewomen included: 

• 2000:  All staff attended inclusiveness training to develop a better understanding of the gay community
• 2000:  Command of a New Zealand Police contingent on an UN assignment in East Timor (Acting Superintendent Paula Stevens) 
• 2001:   Police officer in Pitcairn Island (Constable Karen Vaughn who became involved with Operation Unique)
• 2001:   60 years of women in policing is celebrated with a seminar and formal dinner at the Royal New Zealand Police College 
• 2001:  Civilian Lyn Provost is appointed Deputy Commissioner, the first female to hold a Commissioner rank 
• 2002:  Canterbury District Commander was the first female District Commander (Superintendent Sandra Manderson)
• 2003:  The flexible employment option (FEO) policy was implemented which improved working conditions for staff with family responsibilities
• 2003:  A Women in Policing Plan was produced aimed at recruiting more women in the police and encouraged ethnic diversity
• 2004:  First female Indian police officer (Constable Mandeep Kaur)
• 2006:  Policewomen statistics included 3 Superintendents, 11 Inspectors, 16 Senior Sergeants, 98 Sergeants, 1048 Constables 
• 2007:  The Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct was released. Author Dame Margaret Bazely made 60 recommendation for change. 
• 2007:  Policewomen make up 16.6% of the Constables
• 2007:  Diversity Liaison Officers set up
• 2007:  Women’s Leadership Development Programme was implemented 
• 2007:  NZ Police International Liaison Officer (Superintendent Sandra Manderson was appointed to the Americas  covering the United States, Canada and             South and Central America, and was based in Washington DC)
• 2007:  National Manager Road Policing (Superintendent Paula Rose)
• 2009:  First bi-lingual New Zealand Sign Language Constable (Constable Debi Leahy)  
• 2009:  PPO Principal Protection Officer to the Prime Minster on the Diplomatic Protection Squad (Constable Angela Taylor) 
• 2009:  Te Wānanga o Aotearoa launched a vocational course in 2009 aimed at young women, Māori, Pasifika and other ethnic groups to improve their              cultural understanding, leadership and communications skills, numeracy and fitness prior to applying for a career in the police.

During 2010s, career & training firsts for policewomen included:   

• 2010:  Head of School of Patrol & Operational Policing at the RNZPC (Inspector Tania Kura)
• 2010:  First female District Prosecutions Manager for the Southern District (Inspector Amelia Steel) 
• 2011:  First appointed female Detective Superintendent (Virginia Le Bas)
• 2011:  First Manager of Child Protection and Adult Sexual Assault in the national crime group (Detective Sergeant Tusha Penny) 
• 2011:  First all women Police Station at Wainuiomata which was led by Sergeant Tania Van Ooyen
• 2011:  9.9% of Senior Sergeants are women
• 2012: Australasian Council of Women in Policing gave recognition to the contribution of three officers: Inspector Karen Henrikson –  "Most outstanding            female leader", Detective Kate Smith – "Most outstanding female investigator", and Constable Lexlei Taylor – "Most outstanding female administrator"
• 2013: First woman in NZ Police Fingerprinting Section's 115 year history to be appointed as a manager and principal fingerprint officer and regional crime            prints section  (Tanja Van Peer)  
• 2014:  The Women’s Advisory Network (WAN) is established across the districts  
• 2014:  Reality TV series Women in Blue showcases the work of NZ Policewomen on national network TV One  
• 2014:  First female to be appointed as the Eastern District Commander (Sandra Venables) 
• 2015;  First female in an Armed Officers Squad (AOS) command position (Freda Grace: Waikato District AOS)
• 2015:  First female Area Commander for Manawatu (Sarah Stewart)
• 2015:  First femalee appointed National Manager Organised Crime  (Virginia Le Bas)
• 2015:  First female crew member of the Lady Elizabeth IV - the NZ Police Marine Unit in Wellington (Constable Paula Tanuvasa)
• 2015:  Both Recommendation 50 & 51 of the 2007 Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct were considered completed 
• 2017:  First female Assistant Commissioner of Police (Sandra Venables: Road Policing and Prevention)
• 2018:  First  Māori woman to take command of a Police District (Tusha Penny: Waitematā  District Commander)
• 2019:   First Afghan-born woman to join New Zealand Police (Constable Insia Abdullali)

2016: 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF WOMEN IN POLICE HELD 

Celebrations honouring past and present women in the New Zealand Police were held on the 75th anniversary of the first training intake of women in June 1941. See the national programme for activities held throughout New Zealand.  I was there when local policewomen marched along Victoria Street in Hamilton on Monday 11 July and former policewomen, including my colleague, joined them from the kerbside. The appreciation by the onlookers for these remarkable women, who symbolised past and present policewomen that have served our community over the decades, was palpable in the air.  A memorable moment!  See article and video of the Hamilton march by Caitlan Moorby & Phillipa Yalden, "Officers celebrate 75 years of women in police" (Stuff.co.nz: 11 July 2016). 

During 2020s, career & training firsts for policewomen included:    

• 2020:  First female police officer to be appointed to the position of Deputy Commissioner (Tania Kuria: Deputy Commissioner: Leadership & Capability) 
• 2021:   First female and first Māori Area Commander Otago Lakes Central (Paula Enoka who is Ngāti Whatua iwi, Te Uri o Hau hapū) 
• 2021:  Oldest police graduate at 57 years of age (Constable Lynda Perry) 

As of 30th April 2021, women comprised 35.8% of all New Zealand Police staff and 23.5% of constabulary staff.

By rank:

• Constable 26.7%
• Sergeant 14.3%
• Senior Sergeant 14.8%
• Inspector 15.9%
• Superintendent 15.8%
• Assistant Commissioner 30.0%
• Deputy Commissioner 25.0%

Source: New Zealand Police: 75 years of Policewomen firsts  

Current criteria to become a police officer

The current criteria for women and men to be accepted for training as a police officer can be viewed at:  New Zealand Police: Can I be a cop? What do I need?s:  Information about graduation ceremonies is provided on New Zealand Police: Role of the Police: 

FURTHER INFORMATION

For information about women in the New Zealand Police Force, including profiles of retired and current staff, see the following site which is continuously updated as further information becomes available: New Zealand Police: 75 years of women in Police:  https://www.police.govt.nz/about-us/history-and-museum/75-years-women-police

This DigitalNZ story was created in 2016, following the 75th celebrations, & updated in May 2022 with thanks to the NZ Police webpage: 75 years of Policewomen firsts ; and reupdated in October 2025