Paddy Whiu always a likely lad

Far North rangatira policeman Paddy Whiu died more than a month ago, but the good-natured lawman who was respected by all has not been forgotten, particularly by the man who recruited him into the police force.

Graham Gillespie, 86, last week recalled how he was moved from Waihi to a new posting in Kaikohe in 1971, and, as a veteran police recruiting officer, he questioned then Northland College principal Keith Bogue about whether there were any likely lads on the school roll who might join up.

"Keith told me about this wonderful head prefect, Paddy Whiu, whom he said was very quiet and even-natured, but very authoritative. Paddy apparently took care of any disciplinary issues among the students," he said.

Mr Gillespie was impressed when he met Paddy, and the young man's parents were equally outstanding.

"His father, Pat, worked at AFFCo Moerewa and was a former captain of the Maori All Blacks. His mother, who everyone called Aunty Beatrice, should have been a princess she was such a lovely person. She could have worn a crown on her head with no problems at all."

The only problem with recruiting Paddy was that he was aged 20, and had gained School Certificate passes in only te reo Maori and woodwork.

"I saw the woodwork and engineering teacher, who spoke highly of Paddy and liked the idea of him joining the police, as he had been wondering if he was ever going to leave school," Mr Gillespie said.

"Then I had a yarn with Paddy, who said he had never thought of joining the force but would like to as the only place where he could be sure of finding work was AFFCo."

In those days there was a pre-entry test for police recruits. Mr Gillespie sat Paddy down with the test papers, but when he returned 45 minutes later the young man said he couldn't answer the questions.

"I helped him out with some of it and sent the papers off to police headquarters in Wellington with a note saying Paddy might not be academic but he would make a wonderful policeman," he said.

Paddy scored only 22 out of 100, and the brass in Wellington said he needed to do better.

Mr Gillespie persevered for two years, finally telling Paddy to sign his name on the test papers then filling them out himself.

Off Paddy went to the police college at Trentham, where the chief training officer was Sergeant (later Chief Superintendent) Teddy Hopham, who had himself once served at Kaikohe.

"I told Ted to look after Paddy, and Ted was so impressed with him he took the unbelievable step of inviting him home to have dinner with his wife and two boys," Mr Gillespie added.

"When Ted was having a cup of tea at the college with Gus Sharp (Police Commissioner Sir Angus Sharp), he told him about Paddy and Gus said 'Call him in.' So Paddy was in there having afternoon tea with these two top officers. The other recruits couldn't believe it."

After graduating in 1973, Paddy was posted to Whangarei, and was among a northern police contingent Mr Gillespie led to work in Christchurch during the Commonwealth Games there in 1974.

"We were in the arena and there was lots of noise, when over the racket I could hear this shout, 'Paddy Whiu!' and Paddy was roaring 'Commissioner!'

"They ran and embraced like rugby players. Gus told me Paddy would be his escort for the day and I could proceed."

Around this time, Paddy was showing he had inherited his father's rugby skills, excelling on the wing in the Combined Services team.

"He was a fine sportsman. He had a great swerve and no tackler could bring him down by holding on to his hips," Mr Gillespie said.

The rest is history. Paddy was transferred to the one-man station at Kaeo, went on to become Northland's first iwi liaison officer and later facilitated liaison officer training courses at the New Zealand Police College.

In 2001, he received the Queen's Service Medal for services to the public, followed in 2004 by a Commissioner's Commendation for his role in the foreshore and seabed hikoi from Northland to the steps of Parliament.

From 2007 he was integral in the Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Services (MPES) team at Police National Headquarters, and led training to build the Maori Wardens' effectiveness and professionalism.

Mr Gillespie said Paddy Whiu may not have been academic but he was methodical. Before he died at Waipapa, aged 62, on February 10, he had planned his funeral with all costs covered, including catering.

"He was a wonderful guy," said Mr Gillespie, who retired from the force about 30 years ago and now lives in Waihi.