Tony Hill starts as Constable in Northland and returns as Superintendent

Superintendent Tony Hill is back on familiar turf after starting his policing career in Northland.

Superintendent Tony Hill is back on familiar turf as he takes up the role of Northland District Police Commander.

As a new police graduate in 1990 Hill walked the beat in Whangārei and attended jobs across Northland for the first three years of his career.

Nearly 25 years later he's back and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Northland police team.

He was welcomed to his new role with a powhiri at Te Paea Marae in Ngararatunua. And as a keen fisherman and hunter, Hill is looking forward to refamiliarising himself with some favourite spots.

His ambition to become a detective saw him leave the district and he joined the CIB in Canterbury in 1996 where he stayed for almost 20 years.

As a Detective Inspector he headed many homicide cases in the Canterbury region but a chance to head north again after former Area Commander Russell le Prou took up a role in China, was one Hill could not pass up.

Hill policed through the devastating Christchurch earthquakes and worked with the Chinese families of those who had children killed in the CTV building.

It was an eye opening experience as most families had only one child and their death was not only an emotional toll but the financial security for the future was gone as well.

Hill became so close to the families he was helping he was a pall bearer at one of the Chinese student's funerals.

"The families were so thankful for the work and help we had done that it was an honour to have been asked."

He was also part of the police team that responded to the extensive fires on the Port Hills that saw more than 1400 people evacuated.

About 450 households were evacuated and at least 11 homes destroyed in out-of-control fires that threatened Christchurch.

While it may have been a few years since policing in Northland, there were still a few familiar police faces as well as those on the other side of the law Hill dealt with as a young constable.

"I'm grateful to be in this role it's a great opportunity and a big responsibility. I recognise there have been some fantastic leaders in this role before me so there are big shoes to fill."

Some areas of focus would be addressing the demand for methamphetamine and reducing family harm.

Hill was looking forward to drawing on his previous work experience with iwi and working with local iwi in Te Tai Tokerau.