More questions over Kohukohu police cover

Northland MP Winston Peters continues to ask why the police did not appoint a temporary replacement at Kohukohu following the transfer of Constable Jonathan Maoate.

"The people of North Hokianga deserve to feel safe in their community, and cannot rely on Rawene, Kaitaia and Kaikohe police to attend to emergency call-outs in a reasonable time frame," Mr Peters said in a message to Police Minister Michael Woodhouse.

The Minister was asked to confirm when a constable would be recruited, including an anticipated start date. Mr Woodhouse replied that the position had been advertised nationally once Constable Maoate's transfer had been confirmed.

"There has been interest in the position, and police hope to fill the vacancy within the next two months," he added. In the meantime the position will continue to be filled by a constable from Kaitaia.

"I am informed the Kohukohu police station is a sole-charge station serving a small and widely spread community," Mr Woodhouse said.

"The Kohukohu station is supported by Kaitaia, Rawene and Kaikohe stations as required."

That didn't mollify Mr Peters.

"It was disappointing for the people of the Hokianga that there was no immediate replacement when Constable Maoate left Kohukohu and they were forced to rely on police travelling from Rawene, Kaitaia or Kaikohe," he said.

"Questions need to be asked why at the very least a replacement constable was not appointed temporarily to the position until a permanent police constable was recruited. Surely some sort of incentive could have been offered for a constable to take up this sole charge position for a short time."

Te Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis revealed in June that frontline police numbers in Northland had fallen by 19 per cent in the past six years.