There was a traditional Te Arawa pohiri and representatives from Rotorua's secondary schools performed. Rotorua and district headquarters staff paraded and were inspected by the minister and some staff also performed waiata and haka. The final parade included retired senior sergeant and current deputy mayor Dave Donaldson.
"It was quite over-awing," said Ms Tolley of the pohiri.
She said Rotorua would be better served with the new police station as all staff were now in the same building and it was designed for community use.
"The station that was here was no longer fit for purpose. They do a really tough job whether they're working in the neighbourhood policing in the community or in the traffic unit clearing up some dreadful crashes and dealing with grieving relatives.
"They deserve to have a good building that is fit for purpose. I don't think anyone would begrudge our hard-working police that."
The new building has been named Te Amo Whakaruruhau and is believed to be the only police station in New Zealand with a name.
Mr Bush, who is a former Rotorua Area Commander, said the pohiri demonstrated how the city's police already worked with the community.
"It illustrated the strength of partnership we have with iwi and the respect we have for each other, which is so critical in doing what we do as New Zealand police here today in keeping you all safe," he said.
Ceremony organiser Senior Sergeant Anaru Pewhairangi, who is the district manager for community, Maori and youth, said reflecting the city was "critical" in the official opening.
"We wanted to make sure we were respectful to Te Arawa and Ngati Whakaue by acknowledging them. I'm not from here so it was important to have the guidance and leadership of Te Arawa leaders like Sir Toby Curtis and Mauriora Kingi. To see the reactions from everyone was humbling and certainly an honour and a privilege.
"This is a one in 50 year event and we wanted to make sure that if our kuia [female elders] were watching they would be proud of what we are trying to achieve."
The station will be open to the public next Saturday as part of the National Police Open Day.
The new station - by the numbers
¦ 3745sq m
¦ 190 desks
¦ Just over 200 sworn and non sworn staff (Rotorua area and District HQ)
¦ Three tea bays, two kitchens and one staff meal room
¦ Five ground floor interview rooms
¦ 14 breakout rooms
¦ Five meeting rooms
