By ALISON HORWOOD
The biggest police turnout in history for the millennium will have union chief Greg O'Connor dusting off his uniform to get back on the beat.
"It's a little bit tighter than what it was," he joked. "It's funny how these uniforms shrink when you leave them in the wardrobe too long."
Mr O'Connor will step out from the Police Association desk he has sat behind for four years to boost staffing in the New Year's Eve hotspot of Mt Maunganui.
"Getting back on the beat is great for remembering where your roots are -- you forget them at your own peril.
"You can't convince other people you are a cop if you can't convince yourself," says Mr O'Connor, who has donned his uniform several times "to keep his hand in" over the past four years.
Police annual leave has been cancelled between December 30 and January 4 to get all hands on deck.
Inspector Phil Gubb, who has helped draw up plans for the millennium operation, says four areas are receiving substantial reinforcements.
An extra 70 staff will bolster ranks in the Bay of Islands and Whangarei. Waikato will receive 50 additional staff to patrol beach parties at Raglan, Kawhia and the Coromandel.
The Bay of Plenty will get 53 extra staff to monitor activity at Mt Maunganui, Taupo, Rotorua, and Tauranga.
And the eastern district will get 149 out-of-town staff to deal with the first dawn events planned for Gisborne.
All hands on deck for biggest night
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