Steve Shortland has tribal support. Photo / Martin Sykes
Steve Shortland has tribal support. Photo / Martin Sykes
KEY POINTS:
Steve Shortland's Ngati Hine relations want him to have the top police job.
Assistant Commissioner Shortland has been the Auckland regional commander since August.
As one of New Zealand's highest-ranking police officers, he is responsible for the Waitemata, Auckland City and Counties Manukau police districts.
Today, atOtiria marae, near Moerewa, his tribe will recognise his achievements.
Ngati Hine leader Pita Tipene said the 57-year-old's record included leading the New Zealand contingent that successfully investigated the assassination of a Samoan Cabinet minister and made him a prime contender for the Police Commissioner's job should Howard Broad decide to step down.
"We can't think of a better man for the job. [Today] is about acknowledging his achievements and we want to let him know that we support him.
"Whether he likes it or not, he's a role model for our people. We want our young people to aspire to these leadership positions whether it be Prime Minister or All Black captain or whatever.
"We want our people to be up there and providing leadership across the country."
It's a pressure that Maori who rise through public ranks find themselves placed under. Once it was Clint Rickards who many were hoping might be the first Maori police commissioner. Before that John Tamihere was the pick for the country's first Maori Prime Minister.
Mr Shortland, 57, is good natured about the goal his people have set for him.
"That's really nice they think that. But I think Auckland will probably be my last posting in the police."
His career has taken him through the Pacific and to the US where he trained at the FBI National Academy in Virginia.
But Auckland is where his passion lies.
"It's a really dynamic place to be working in terms of policing. You're exposed to just about every aspect."
And while the iwi might have plans of their own, so does Mr Shortland.
"We're after 300 extra police officers, this might turn into a recruiting drive," he joked.
A police delegation would accompany Mr Shortland to the marae ceremony, but he wasn't too sure who was coming.
"I've kept out of it. It's too much like inviting people to your own prizegiving."
