Constable Smith takes post in Orewa to stay closer to home

Constable Josh Smith and partner Sarah Ellington are preparing to exit Kaitaia.

Constable Josh Smith travelled a long way - from Nelson - to take up his first police position in Kaitaia, but that posting came to an end on Friday.

Mr Smith was farewelled, and received his permanent appointment notice, from Far North area commander Inspector Riki Whiu at a function at the station on Friday, leaving him the weekend to pack up and report for his first shift in Orewa yesterday.

Inspector Whiu thanked Mr Smith, who began his career in Kaitaia in February 2015, for the contribution he had made to the area.

"I have no idea why you want to go to Auckland," he added, although his glance in the direction of Mr Smith's partner, Sarah Ellington, who lives there, suggested otherwise.

Mr Smith replied that he had enjoyed his time in Kaitaia.

He said the police had become a surrogate family, although he was sure he had asked numerous inane questions, some of them more than once.

Friday's function also saw permanent appointments officially confirmed for constables Elton Braithwaite and Lesley Cooper.