Police Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Police Deputy Commissioner Wallace (Wally) Haumaha is retiring after a 40-year career, alongside cultural adviser Sergeant Wayne Panapa.
The pair have a combined 90 years in service, with Panapa being one of the first iwi liaison officers.
They were celebrated by their peers last week at Pipitea Marae, Wellington, but Panapa's 50 years of service was also celebrated in June last year at Kirikiriroa Marae, Hamilton.
"I never imagined I'd still be here 40 years later," Haumaha said.
"What a ride, what an awesome journey, what a privilege it has been to be part of the successes, the failures, the challenges, the changes," he said.
"But most of all, I'm grateful for the honour it's been to serve our country and the institution of policing."
Haumaha tried to join police as a teenager in 1970 but was too young. He later became a teacher and travelled overseas with a Māori cultural group, before finally joining the police force in 1984.
He graduated from Wing 89 and served in Rotorua until 2004, apart from a two-year break to help his family set up a retail business.
His roles included working on the frontline, CIB, as a section supervisor, district community relations coordinator and Māori responsiveness adviser - then in 2004 he was seconded to the Police National Headquarters at inspector rank as a strategic Māori adviser.
"My purpose, I believe, was to push the brown boundaries of police, break the unbreakable and carve out innovative pathways and practices to achieve justice around fairness and equality."
Haumaha has been chairperson of the Ngāti Ngāraranui hapū marae, Waiteti, at Ngongotahā, Rotorua, for about 35 years. He credits his ties with hapū and whānau as giving him strength to carry on and keeping him grounded.
His services were recognised with The Queen's Service Medal in 1997 and the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2017.
Sergeant Wayne Panapa (Ngāti Whātua and Ngāti Ngawaero). Photo: Supplied / NZ police
Panapa was also recognised with a Queen's Service Medal in 2001, for leading the Māori Wardens project and training the wardens.
He joined the Ministry of Transport in July 1973 and transferred to police when the organisations merged in 1992.
He has been heavily involved in the policing of high-profile events, including Rātana and Waitangi, and was one of five officers who led the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed hīkoi from Northland to Parliament.
"Policing is rewarding, you never go to work and leave your culture at home," Panapa said.
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster acknowledged the pair's contribution to police's relationship with Māori as well as their individual work.
"Whether it's a frontline policing response, a strategic discussion or a relationship negotiation, tikanga, whakapapa, manaakitanga and mana are cornerstones of Wally's problem-solving approach because they are the cornerstone of the man.
"The challenges have been many but, Wally, your strength and resolve to stick to who you are is exceptional. Many people in the room today and many more to come will benefit from the path you have carved out. They have inspired you and you have inspired them."
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Coster also thanked Panapa for his work to build better relationships between iwi and police.
"Wayne is described as the quintessential community cop, the voice between the people and the police, one never to leave his culture at the door."
"He has brought better outcomes for iwi Māori and has battled to strengthen ties between iwi and police in all his roles."
Past controversy
Haumaha has faced controversy over his behaviour in the past.
In 2018, an Independent Police Conduct Authority report found his behaviour belittling and humiliating in one incident while working on a government project. It found he was "inappropriate and unprofessional" in regards to two staff complaints about him, but that it did not meet the definition of workplace bullying. It also found he acted improperly in approaching staff to support him to refute allegations about his conduct.
His rise to the top ranks had been under a cloud ever since survivors' advocate Louise Nicholas went public with her reservations about Haumaha's appointment given comments he had made defending police officers accused of raping her in 2004.
In 2018, he made a public apology about his remarks and said he regretted them.
A government inquiry into Haumaha's appointment to deputy police commissioner concluded the process for his appointment was adequate and fit for purpose.