New police graduate Karlene Rhind-Sutherland and her soon-to-be colleague Mike Sutton were recognised at a Masterton kohanga reo with a morning tea on Monday.
The morning tea at Ngati Hamua Kohanga Reo also extended invitations to three other current or former officers who had or have children at the centre
Rob Rutene, who is leaving the district soon, constables Nathan Couch and Keely Limpus, and former police officer Aimee Pomare but apologies were received because they had prior commitments.
Parent-of-three at the centre Marlene Matiaha said the most important thing about the morning was congratulating Mrs Rhind-Sutherland and saying thank you to the police for working so hard.
"It's good for the kids seeing them in their uniform because we keep saying they help keep you safe," she said.
"We just thought it would be nice just to say a huge thank you from our school community. We see them day in, day out, but we haven't got time to stop."
Mrs Rhind-Sutherland graduated on Thursday from Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua and while she enjoyed every moment of her time at the school; she's pleased to be back on hometown soil.
The celebratory morning tea left Mrs Rhind-Sutherland overwhelmed because she didn't expect the fuss.
"I'm humbled by it it's an honour to be part of it," she said.
"I'm just glad to be back in amongst Ngati Hamua whanau and in the Wairarapa."
The mother-of-four has been returning to the Wairarapa each weekend, but spending the weeks in Porirua so she could fulfil one of her dreams to be in the police force.
"It's been a hard 19 weeks very challenging, but lots of rewards.
"I have learnt a lot out of it and I think my whole family's grown from it."
Mrs Rhind-Sutherland begins her induction training on October 21, with her first shift as a probationary constable on October 25.
"I'm really looking forward to working here in the Wairarapa and being part of the police. It's a job that I'm really interested in and I'm hoping I've got the right stuff for it," she says.
