Paihia's top cop to head new section in Kerikeri

Sergeant Peter Masters, centre, on his last day at work in Paihia with workmates and community members Hinehou Apiata, left, Constable Edwin "Adda" van Dijk, kaumatua Hep Waiomio, Paihia fire chief and St John operations manager Shane Schrafft, and Ngaire Apiata. Photo / Peter de Graaf

A policing era has come to an end in Paihia with Sergeant Peter Masters spending his last day on the beat after seven years in the Bay of Islands town.

Mr Masters, who is being transferred to Kerikeri, marked the occasion with a low-key morning tea put on by workmates and community members.

Mr Masters will run a new front-line section consisting of one sergeant and four constables based at the Kerikeri station. Three constables will remain at Paihia but will come under the sergeant at Kawakawa. Paihia's front desk volunteers are also staying.

Mr Masters said the changes were part of an 18-week trial of a new Mid North police roster.

"It's not my choice to leave Paihia but I'm willing to make a go of this change. The outcome, I hope, will be better for everyone."

He urged anyone affected by crime in the Paihia area to keep reporting it. The new roster could be properly tested only if police bosses had a clear picture of where and when crimes were committed.

Mr Masters said his tasks over the past seven years had ranged from helping the elderly move garden ornaments to chasing a gun-wielding robber through Opua. Protecting tourism, one of the Far North's biggest income earners, had been an important part of the job.

His low point was being mauled by a police dog in an operation gone wrong near Russell in 2008; his greatest satisfaction had been getting to know people, in Waitangi in particular, and being able to help them.

Paihia had come a long way in the past seven years, he said. It had always been buoyant but was now less violent.

"I'm sad to be leaving but I'm also looking forward to re-acquainting myself with the people of Kerikeri."

Mr Masters headed the Kerikeri station from 2002-2007.

A return to Paihia after the trial is possible.

Kaumatua Hep Waiomio said Mr Masters had done a lot for Waitangi youth.

"He turned a lot of them around. Some of them were into petty crime, but he's got them supporting the community now."