Safety ambassador earns top award

KEEPING THE PEACE: City Safe officers Gail Lewis and Hoki Witute on patrol in Whangarei's Cameron St Mall. PHOTO/ JOHN STONE

Hoki Witute is a familiar face in central Whangarei and a local hero in the eyes of his employer.

The Northern Districts Security senior officer and City Safe ambassador has been awarded Overall Winner as Security Specialist of the Year at the annual New Zealand Security Awards, held in Rotorua earlier this month.

The 35 year old has been a City Safe ambassador since the initiative started in 2011, a collaboration between the Northland Chamber of Commerce, the Whangarei District Council and Whangarei police.

The aim was to ensure people felt safe in the CBD, day and night, recognising the importance of not only being safe but feeling safe.

His boss JP Dignon, managing director of Northern Districts Security, said Mr Witute was the right person for the job in more ways than one.

"He quickly builds rapport with those often behind problems in the area. He relates to people from all walks of life and backgrounds.

He tries to educate them about the consequences of their actions and behaviours," Mr Dignon said.

"They listen to him and he has gained their respect over time, and as a result the atmosphere in the city centre is much brighter and people feel safer being there compared to before the scheme started.

"He has made the city centre a much happier place for people to come to."

Mr Witute is one of a two-person team patrolling the central city during business hours.

"We regard him as a true local hero. He takes ownership of his role and together with Gail Lewis, as his sidekick, form a very effective team. We regard them both very highly," Mr Dignon said.

The scheme is "great for the town and great for business".

Mr Dignon sits on a select committee of the New Zealand Security Association.

He made his colleagues aware of Mr Witute's role and impact of the City Safe initiative in Whangarei and how unique it is in the country, setting an example for how central city safety can be improved anywhere in New Zealand.

Mr Dignon said this was the third recognition Mr Witute had received in the past year in his City Safe ambassador role in Whangarei.

He received a police commendation because of an incident last year, plus a mayoral citation for the same event, when he tackled a knife-wielding youth to the ground and prevented him from harming others.

A typical day on the job could range from diffusing potentially violent situations to making sure beer bottles left behind by people abusing the liquor ban were disposed of safely, Mr Dignon said.