Outgoing Eastern District police commander shares parting words

Outgoing police commander for Eastern District, which includes Gisborne and Hawke's Bay, Superintendent Jeanette Park is moving to Wellington for a role as Assistant Commissioner.

Outgoing Eastern District police commander Superintendent Jeanette Park has praised the district’s police staff, saying they were “extremely committed” to their work.

Park is moving to Wellington in February to take up a position as Assistant Commissioner.

She has been the Eastern District commander for the past five years.

“It has been a privilege to serve in the role, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it,” she said.

“When I was first appointed to it, I had an incredibly special pōwhiri at Whakato Marae in Manutūkē.”

Park also spent time in Tolaga Bay/Ūawa where she was “overwhelmed by the warm welcome” she received.

Superintendent Jeanette Park on the job with a breathalyser during the R&V festival.

“We have extremely committed staff across Gisborne/ East Coast who come to work every day to make a difference and help their communities.

“Many of our staff whakapapa back to Tairāwhiti and I believe this helps with our connection to, and understanding of, the communities we serve.”

Park said the diversity of Tairāwhiti staff was amazing.

“We are always looking for great people to join us (police) and love being able to recruit locals who can return and police in their own communities.

“We do offer additional allowances in some harder-to-fill areas of Tairāwhiti.

“Police deploy staff to demand and we always have the option to bring in further resources, if required and Cyclone Gabrielle is a good example of that.”

Park said it was fair to say they have some “policing challenges” in Tairāwhiti.

“We work closely with iwi, Mayor Rehette Stoltz and our community partners who all provide tremendous support to police.

“Tairāwhiti has significant events such as Rhythm & Vines, and it has also been challenged by weather events.

“The key has been the district’s ability to work together in those times.”

She points to the new gang legislation introduced in 2024.

“We did a lot of work with our partners on that.”

Park said the remoteness of Tairāwhiti will always be a challenge.

“But the people have such resilience and an incredible ability to just get on and get things done.

“Together we have got through a lot, including Covid and extreme weather events.

“I will miss Tairāwhiti and the entire Eastern District.

“However, I am excited about the challenge of my new role as Assistant Commissioner.”

New district commander Superintendent Joel Lamb takes over when Park departs.