Newly appointed Assistant Commissioner Tim Anderson should have been cleaning out his desk and preparing for his next big career move in his final two weeks of working as Bay of Plenty’s police district commander. Instead, he found himself fronting a major New Zealand tragedy. He speaks to senior journalist
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Assistant Commissioner Tim Anderson on Mauao slip response and leadership
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Superintendent Tim Anderson speaks at a media conference regarding the deadly slip at Mount Maunganui. Photo / Alyse Wright
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The police officer with 32 years of experience is well-versed in dealing with high-profile cases and major New Zealand events.
He was the lead senior investigating officer in the investigation into the Christchurch terror attacks, worked on security and planning teams at Apec and Chogm and led high-profile murder cases to convictions, including the shooting of road worker George Taiaroa and the 30-year cold case of Rodney Tahu.
He says that, as tragic as events such as the Mauao landslips and murder cases are, helping to ease grief in times of high stress was one of the many reasons he loved his career.
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“Like in the George Taiaroa murder case, it doesn’t bring the person back, but it brings closure. Being able to ease that grief is really humbling, and we are in a privileged position to be able to do that ... It is satisfying to do a really good job for victims of trauma.”
Anderson beams with pride when he talks about the Bay of Plenty police staff.
While he means no bias, he firmly believes they are some of the best police officers he’s worked with.
He’s also proud of how emergency services worked on the recovery operation at Mauao.
Police were on standby the day before, waiting for the weather bomb.
“We had a couple of meetings and sent staff home to come back at night.”
Anderson was called in about 4am on January 22 following the Welcome Bay slip that killed two people.
He was in a meeting when word came through about the Mauao slip.
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It was then full-on as the response was set up.
Anderson says words cannot describe how good the crews were in the days that followed.
“I get to see them at work, and I think if the average Kiwi could see them at times of high stress and tragedy, which was what that was, they would be extremely humbled ... The care they have, the passion they display, and they do it with dignity, respect, humility and in a fashion that probably eases the grief.”
Anderson believes the actions of some staff would affect how some of those families dealt with losing their loved ones that way.
“Some will always remember the family liaison who looked after them, or the DVI disaster victim identification] crew who carefully recovered the loved ones for the families.”
New police headquarters role
Anderson is one of three new assistant commissioners appointed in December. They were due to start this month.
His promotion was announced alongside Superintendent Jeanette Park (Eastern district commander) and Superintendent Corrie Parnell (Wellington district commander).
Descended from Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi iwi in the Whanganui area, Anderson will be looking after iwi and community partnerships in his new portfolio.
The new appointments follow Assistant Commissioner Mike Pannett’s elevation to statutory deputy commissioner. Jill Rogers was also appointed a deputy commissioner.
The deputy commissioner roles were vacant following Tania Kura’s retirement in July after 37 years of service, and the departure in May of Jevon McSkimming, later convicted of possessing child sexual exploitation and bestiality material.
Anderson’s police career
Anderson officially became Bay of Plenty district commander in September 2022.
He was no stranger to the district, having worked in the region several times.
He took over the role previously held by Superintendent Andy McGregor, who retired in June 2022.
Anderson holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from the University of Auckland’s School of Law, majoring in International Criminal Law and Employment Law.
He joined the police in 1994 and has held a range of appointments across Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.
As a senior sergeant, he managed the prosecution offices in Auckland. In 2008, he moved to Rotorua as a detective senior sergeant and was later promoted to detective inspector as the district crime manager.
Anderson has also served as the country’s national crime manager for three years, leading the National Criminal Investigation Group as detective superintendent.
This national group is comprised of covert policing units across New Zealand, cyber crime, digital and physical forensics units, child protection and adult sexual assault investigations and CIB training standards.
He came back to the Bay of Plenty at a time when Rotorua had struggled with homelessness.
He praises the work of Rotorua area commander Inspector Herby Ngawhika to help turn the city around, including the introduction of the city centre beat team.
“They have cleaned up the CBD, and it is a much nicer place now. You can see it, and you can feel it.”
When asked if he’d ever return to his beloved Bay of Plenty or if he had his sights set on the commissioner’s job one day, Anderson shrugs.
“I don’t call myself ambitious, but in this one organisation I’ve had a role change every two to four years because I like to be challenged ... I think it’s healthy for leadership roles to change because it gives other people a go and helps keep ideas fresh.”
Whatever role he plays, he wants to always ensure he never loses sight of the real people at the coal face.
He is also confident that the dark days that clouded New Zealand Police following the McSkimming fallout are behind them.
High praise given
People who have worked closely with Anderson wish him well for his new career, while praising his work.
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell says Rotorua has been fortunate to have Anderson serving the wider region.
“His experience and compassion for community safety means he leaves this role having made Rotorua better, and we thank him for the leadership he showed during challenging times.
“It was an honour to work alongside him and his team and see major wins such as more police, and a much safer inner city.”
Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale says Anderson did a fantastic job, particularly showing his skills during the Mauao slip operation.
“He is really approachable, and it was a credit to him and all the emergency services that they all came together and worked so well as a team.
“I appreciated his leadership and how inclusive he was. He was the one there on the ground, and he was respected by everyone.”
Bay of Plenty district crime manager Detective Inspector Lew Warner describes Anderson as an intelligent leader.
He says Anderson cares about his staff and their families, while ensuring they are resourced sufficiently.
“Tim is visual, by this I mean he turns up when things are happening and is not afraid to assist.
“He is articulate and professional, which was recently displayed when he was the lead for New Zealand Police during the recent landslips at Welcome Bay and Mount Maunganui. He has the ability to talk with anyone.”
Ngawhika says he likes that Anderson allowed the Rotorua staff to get on and do their jobs.
“He put a lot of trust in us to do the right thing, and he cares about people and puts people at the front of everything.”
Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.