Police get new name

Waitemata Police District came into being today.

The district was formerly known as North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney Police District, its commander, Superintendent Viv Rickard, said.

"The name North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney and Auckland Metro Road Policing had simply become unworkable," Mr Rickard said.

He said the name Waitemata was arrived at with input from the Commissioner of Police and local council and iwi representatives.

Waitemata simply means the waters of "Mataa".

Mr Rickard said police had also noted that the district's health board covered a similar area and was also simply referred to as "Waitemata Health".

- NZPA