32866 (2025). Hon Ginny Andersen to the Minister of Police

32866 (2025). Hon Ginny Andersen to the Minister of Police: What steps are being taken to ensure recruitment targets are met?

Hon Mark Mitchell: I am advised that Police is undertaking efforts to attract new applicants through significant marketing campaigns and revised recruitment criteria, which now enable those on residency visas or with restricted driver’s licences to apply. Police has also hosted a series of ‘Fast Track’ recruitment events nationwide, enabling applicants to complete multiple steps of the application process in a single visit, thereby accelerating the application process. I am further advised that the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) campus in Auckland has welcomed its first wing, while capacity at RNZPC in Porirua has been increased to accommodate wing sizes of up to 100 recruits. In addition, Police is actively targeting former constables to re-join the service, including those who have recently left for Australia. The Government has supported Police in strengthening measures to maintain standards, including going back to a 20 week training course and ensuring that other standards are being met, which has created delays in training. As the Member knows, discretion has been applied for some time and as I was verbally briefed, for the delivery of the 1800 new police target, a discretionary pass was introduced where the literacy assessment standards were not met, which had since become common practice.