Retired cop Pieri Munro is back in the ranks in top Māori police role

Piere Munro is returning to the frontline. Photo / Supplied

Out with the old, in with the … old.

Police held a powhiri yesterday at Takapūwāhia Marae in Porirua for the new deputy chief executive for iwi and communities, Pieri Munro.

After 13 years working in the private sector Munro has returned to the ranks.

Munro retired in 2010 as a superintendent and held many significant Māori roles, including Te Pou Whakarae-Māori partnerships manager at Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

He replaces Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha, who will spend the time until his retirement in January inducting Munro into the role.

Wally Haumaha is retiring from police as Deputy Police Commissioner in January. Photo / NZME

Haumaha says he and Munro started the Māori strategy together in 1996 at the instigation of the late Api Mahuika.

“Pieri is an accomplished leader in his own right and will bring a whole different capability or new capability and refresh, fresh eyes to the position and take over from me. It will be exciting for him to see the changes in the way we have built the capacity and leadership particularly with our young Māori staff coming through the grades who eventually will become deputy commissioner and hopefully commissioner.”

The powhiri also included a welcome for other new senior staff.

Waatea.News.Com