'No direction' to lower standards for police recruits
The Police Commissioner says there was "no direction or order" to drop standards in order to fulfil a coalition promise and recruit 500 more police officers.
Richard Chambers said, once he knew "discretion" had been applied, he made it clear that graduating police officers must still meet standards.
Both Chambers and Police Minister Mark Mitchell fronted a scrutiny hearing today – a chance for MPs to grill ministers on this year's Budget decisions.
Findings from an audit into recruitment standards at the Royal New Zealand Police College found a significant number of applicants were allowed into the college, despite failing preliminary tests.
The Police College sometimes gives discretion to recruits who fall short of certain standards, although they must still pass the tests before graduating, but the audit found this had become increasingly common.
ADVERTISEMENT
The findings prompted Police Commissioner Richard Chambers to instruct the college not to accept anyone who hasn't met all mandatory recruitment standards.
Critics say the Govt is behind on its target of 500 new officers as gang numbers and illicit drugs continue to surge. (Source: 1News)
Just last month, a review found more than 300 police officers were not assessed on their swimming abilities before graduating, leading to the audit.
Those recent recruits had undergone assessments retrospectively, and it was announced that police would review the swimming training policy.
Another issue was a failure by some to meet the literacy standard required before entering Police College.
Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen asked Mitchell in the hearing: "Who gave the order to drop standards at the Police College in order to try deliver the 500 [new police] quicker?"
Mitchell described it as an operational matter, but as minister, his view was that there were no specific orders "ever" to drop standards. He blamed the previous government and had previously said: "There is no doubt in my mind that the priorities set by the previous government around recruiting contributed to this."
ADVERTISEMENT
He said there may have been a change in the approach taken, but under this government, "we've been very clear what our expectations are, and that is that there will be no reduction or change in standards".
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers (Source: 1News)
Mitchell added that, when it came to recruiting, the Commissioner and his statements had been "unambiguous" about his expectations.
Chambers added the minister was correct - "there was no direction or order" - but once he was made aware that "discretion" had been applied on different standards and expectations, he made it clear those standards needed to be met.
"I've been very clear about under my commissionership, we have standards that we will meet and, if some people need to do some extra work before they join New Zealand Police, then that's up to them to do."
Going forward, he said he was very clear "we do have expectations of standards".
Mitchell emphasised the recruits who failed preliminary tests did so before attending police college and, under the commissioner's direction, that would no longer happen.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Now there is no discretion around those standards," he said.
"They'll meet the standard before they go to the college, but once they're at the college, they have to meet the standard before they graduate."
rnz.co.nz
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
1News
21 hours ago
- 1News
Luxon concludes China trip: 'No evidence' of collaboration with West's foes
Christopher Luxon has wrapped up his trip to China, dismissing suggestions the superpower is working with Russia, Iran or North Korea to undermine the West — as alleged by NATO's top official. The prime minister says he also stressed to China's leaders that engagement in the Pacific must advance the region's interests, but refused to say whether the recent Cook Islands crisis was raised by either side. Speaking late Friday at New Zealand's embassy in Beijing, Luxon said he was leaving "very, very convinced" the bilateral relationship was in "a really strong place and in good heart". The comments followed a day of top-level meetings at the Great Hall of the People, capping a three-day visit to China, Luxon's first as prime minister. The prime minister and his officials now fly on to Belgium and then to the Netherlands, where he will attend the annual NATO summit. Asked about NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte's recent warning that China is working together with Russia, Iran and North Korea, Luxon noted the "Dutch directness" — but indicated a "difference of opinion". ADVERTISEMENT "We haven't seen evidence of those four powers coordinating in a way, actively against the West," Luxon said. "We've seen bilateral associations, say, between Russia and North Korea, with respect to the war in Ukraine. We've seen bilateral arrangements between Iran and Russia as well, but we haven't seen evidence of a wholesale force." The rest of the delegation was now returning to New Zealand on the air force 757. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon meets with Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Source: 1News) Cook Islands questions linger The talks came a day after revelations New Zealand suspended nearly $20 million in funding to the Cook Islands, after its agreements with China earlier this year. Luxon repeatedly refused to say whether that issue, or any other, was discussed behind closed doors. ADVERTISEMENT "We need to respect that they are private diplomatic conversations that need to be respected in the privacy of the sanctum." The world leaders discussed a range of tricky topics, including the war in the Middle East and a suspension of funding to the Cook Islands. (Source: 1News) A media statement issued at the end of the trip said Luxon had raised "the need for engagement in the Pacific to take place in a manner which advances Pacific priorities". Pressed to clarify, Luxon said the concern had been well-canvassed: "Making sure that… all major powers that aren't part of the Pacific family… respect the centrality of the Pacific Island Forum." While none of China's leaders directly mentioned the Cook Islands crisis, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun earlier said China's cooperation with the Pacific nation "should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party". Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on Friday labelled the funding pause "patronising" and pointed out he had not been consulted on any agreements New Zealand entered with China this trip. Luxon denied any double standard, but said he had "nothing more to add" on the subject. ADVERTISEMENT "I'm not going to get into it. I've spoken ad nauseam about the Cooks and the challenge." The prime minister's statement also said he raised "rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific" including the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Final talks with Xi and Li Before speaking to reporters, the prime minister took part in an official welcome ceremony at the Great Hall and then a sit-down with his counterpart, Premier Li Qiang. Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Source: 1News) In opening remarks, Li spoke of global turbulence and the need for "mutually beneficial cooperation". He said he had been "deeply impressed" by Luxon's friendship and hospitality during his 2024 visit to Wellington. In response, Luxon said the international challenges made ongoing dialogue more important "even where we differ". ADVERTISEMENT The meeting ended with the signing of 11 agreements, promising cooperation in areas including customs, food safety, and tourism. Luxon — and the wider business delegation — then stayed on for a banquet dinner at the Great Hall. Earlier on Friday, Xi said the bilateral relationship had experienced "many ups and downs" but remained respectful and at the forefront of China's Western ties. Luxon meanwhile described the bilateral relationship as "long-standing" and of "great consequence" to New Zealand. "The world looks to China as a major global power to play a constructive role in addressing many of the challenges that are facing us all," he said. Speaking to RNZ before departure, Luxon said he had established "good rapport" with both leaders during their previous meetings. The prime minister last met Xi in November at the APEC summit in Peru. At the time, Luxon characterised their conversation as "warm, positive and constructive" but noted clear differences over the AUKUS defence pact and missile testing in the Pacific.
1News
2 days ago
- 1News
Matariki celebrated across NZ with ceremony and reflection
New Zealanders right around the country have been celebrating Matariki, with many of them up well before dawn to watch the rising of the star cluster which heralds the start of the Māori New Year. It became an official public holiday only in 2022, but it's already become one of our most meaningful days and the first holiday to recognise Te Ao Māori. It was the first new public holiday since Waitangi Day became a public holiday in 1974. The date of Matariki changes from year to year, but it will always fall in June or July. A public holiday is held for Matariki on June 20, 2025. (Source: Ngāti Rangi hosted this year's national Matariki ceremony at Tirorangi Marae at the base of Mount Ruapehu. ADVERTISEMENT Iwi spokesperson Che Wilson told 1News it was a "huge honour" to be the first marae to host the national holiday ceremony. "It's truly a privilege to welcome everyone here," he said. "It means a great deal to us." Wilson explained that the Matariki celebrations would include offering karakia to specific stars in alignment with their Puanga traditions. "In our Puanga narrative, we'll offer them to four atua – Tāne, Rongo, Tangaroa, and Maru [the gods of forest, cultivated food, the sea, and war]." The Māori Queen, politicians, and dignitaries attended the national ceremony. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said having events across the country was a "real kotahitanga moment". "To bring it to national presence and international presence is something that connects us to the universe, and that's really important for us, that we see our tikanga as a way of life, as a daily platform for kotahitanga. And for me, it also connects to many, many other people from throughout the world." ADVERTISEMENT It was also a poignant moment for European Union ambassador to New Zealand Lawrence Meredith, who lost his father when he was young. "This whole transition for the ancestors is a really powerful message, the idea that ancestors become stars," he said. Hautapu ceremony at Auckland's Bastion Point this morning. (Source: 1News) Hundreds gathered at Auckland's Bastion Point to ring in the Māori New Year this morning with a hautapu ceremony. Food and steam were offered to the stars of Matariki as an offering of thanks from the umu or hāngī. The kai that is prepared for the hautapu connects to four different whetū (stars) in the Matariki cluster: Seafood with the star Waitā; freshwater kai with the star Waitī; kai from above the ground with the star Tupuārangi; and kai from the earth with the star Tupuānuku. Many were up well before dawn to watch the rising of the star cluster. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT Kingi Makoare (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) said it was awesome to see the eagerness from people to learn about Māori culture. "It's heartwarming to see people really interested in us." Fiona Smith (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) added that it was a "great reflection of what New Zealand really should be". "Together, collaborative right from the beginning, standing shoulder to shoulder, doing things together, holding hands together." A maumaharatanga ceremony on Mauao/Mount Maunganui. (Source: 1News) In Tauranga, people of all ages summitted Mauao / Mount Maunganui before dawn for a remembrance of loved ones who had died in the past year. Te Puna I Rangiriri trust chairman Jack Thatcher led the maumaharatanga ceremony and said it was a "very emotional" morning. ADVERTISEMENT Maumaharatanga translates to memorial, memory or recollection. Grieving families and friends were invited to place their hands on the monument Te Tapuātea o Mauao and call out the names of their loved ones. "We have people bringing a lot of hurt. To call out the names of the loved ones that they're missing gives them a chance to heal and carry on," Thatcher said.
1News
2 days ago
- 1News
Mushroom trial: Motive and murder - what the jury must decide
With all evidence now complete, closing arguments are underway in one of the most high-profile murder trials in Australia. But jurors in Victoria aren't being asked to find a motive. They're being asked to decide whether Erin Patterson is guilty of murder beyond reasonable doubt. Experts agree the legal threshold is one of the most misunderstood elements of criminal trials - so what does that actually mean? Australia Correspondent Aziz Al Sa'afin explains. What's the job of the jury? To weigh the evidence presented and decide whether guilt has been proven beyond reasonable doubt Under Victorian law, jurors must not speculate, assume or 'fill in gaps' - they rely only on what was presented in court What does 'beyond reasonable doubt' actually mean? ADVERTISEMENT Speaking to 1News, Criminal barrister Rishi Nathwani KC explained it like this: 'It doesn't mean beyond any doubt at all - just beyond a reasonable one. If the jury finds there is a real possibility the accused is innocent, they must acquit.' Nathwani said while the phrase remains in use in Victoria, in other jurisdictions it's sometimes simplified as: 'Are you sure?' If jurors are not sure, based on the evidence presented in court, then the verdict must be not guilty. Why is this important in the Patterson case? The Crown has alleged Erin Patterson deliberately served a meal containing death cap mushrooms that killed three of her relatives and left a fourth man fighting for life. But prosecutors have explicitly told jurors not to focus on motive. 'You don't need to find a motive to find someone guilty of murder,' the prosecution has said. Instead, they argue that Patterson's behaviour - including her shifting explanations, deleted data and acquisition of a food dehydrator point to intent. ADVERTISEMENT Defence: Beware the danger of hindsight In closing arguments, Patterson's barrister Colin Mandy SC warned the jury not to judge her through the lens of hindsight. 'This trial isn't about what might have happened. It's about what the evidence shows.' He said much of the Crown's argument is based on 'speculation' and assumptions that don't amount to proof. So what is the jury considering? Under Victorian law, jurors must decide whether Erin Patterson: Intended to kill or cause serious injury to her lunch guests And whether the prosecution has proven this beyond reasonable doubt ADVERTISEMENT That's it. Even without a clear motive, even with odd behaviour - Nathwani said if there's a reasonable explanation that fits the evidence, Patterson must be acquitted. What has the prosecution said? Over the course of the trial, the Crown argued: Patterson lied about where the mushrooms came from She deliberately misled health officials and police Her phone was factory reset to hide evidence She visited areas where wild death caps were known to grow The prosecution also suggested the sixth beef Wellington - prepared for her estranged husband - was kept separate and potentially safe, though he did not attend the lunch. Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers and Erin Patterson. Montage by Crystal Choi. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT What has the defence said? The defence has said: Patterson panicked and lied, but that doesn't mean she's guilty She had no motive to harm her family Scientific and forensic evidence is inconclusive Death cap residue in the dehydrator does not prove intent or timing They also say surviving guest Ian Wilkinson - who testified the accused used different coloured plates - was 'honestly mistaken'. They raised the possibility a third, unknown mushroom species may have been present in the leftovers, citing expert testimony from a virologist. What happens if the jury can't agree? In Victoria, murder charges require a unanimous verdict. Justice Beale will try to avoid a hung jury by directing the jury to continue deliberating and try to reach agreement. But it is possible it could result in a mistrial if all options have been "exhausted". ADVERTISEMENT As Nathwani explained: 'The judge would, if [the jury] made it aware they were struggling to reach a unanimous verdict, direct them... There's a direction he can give of law, which says, you know, you've got to listen to each other... But if they can't, then it's a retrial, and they do it all again in many months' time.' Recap: What's happened so far in the trial? Week 1–2: Opening arguments and early witnesses, including police and hospital staff. Week 3: Toxicology and forensic experts testified on the symptoms of death cap poisoning. Week 4: Phone and tech evidence, including the factory reset, was presented. Week 5: Botanical and mushroom experts, including Dr Tom May, confirmed death cap DNA in cooking equipment. Week 6: Testimony from Patterson's children and others about her behaviour. ADVERTISEMENT Week 7: Erin Patterson testified across eight days. She denied intent and maintained it was a tragic accident. Week 8: Closing arguments. Prosecution accused her of inventing key parts of her story. Defence said speculation and hindsight are not proof. What next? Judge Christopher Beale is expected to give final directions to the jury next week. Deliberations could begin by the end of June.
