$18m city police station opens (+ video)

The new police station was blessed in a dawn ceremony yesterday. Photo/Stephen Parker

Rotorua's new $18 million state-of-the-art police station has opened its doors to staff and the public, some 15 months after work began on the facility.

About 200 people took part in the dawn karakia, which involved members of Te Arawa, police past and present, dignitaries and families.

The police station, named Te Amo Whakaruruhau, will house the 120 Rotorua area staff as well as the Bay of Plenty police district staff. It opened its doors to the public yesterday after 15 months of staff being based across the road in a temporary station.

Before boxes could be unpacked, the stations three floors were blessed with karakia from Scotty Morrison of Ngati Whakaue, Te Ururoa Flavell from Ngati Rangiwewehi, Mauriora Kingi from Tuhourangi, Ngati Wahiao, Tapuika and Tuwharetoa, Anaha Hiini from Ngati Whakaue, Tuhourangi and Tapuika, Tukiterangi Curtis from Ngati Pikiao, and Mataia Keepa from Ngati Whakaue, Tuhourangi and Tapuika.

There was a final karakia in the atrium, followed by the hymn Whakaria Mai.

"I think it's great that our first official event here is a blessing by Te Arawa, that's quite significant," said Bay of Plenty district commander Superintendent Glenn Dunbier.

"It's a really good turnout. We can see its not just police staff but also iwi and the community, which is a good mix."

"Our staff have put up with the old police station for a very long time, in less than ideal conditions. This is a move to a community meeting place rather than being a fortress."

Among those at the blessing were retired police officer Barry Bonnington, who served from 1959-85. He was first based in what is now the Pig & Whistle before the previous station was opened in 1969.

"The size of it is unbelievable," he said yesterday.

"When they shipped us over here [from the Pig & Whistle] the facilities were so good but to see this one ..."

Assistant Commissioner Allan Boreham said: "It's about putting people at the centre, how we prevent people from becoming victims and that's what it's all about for us."

"It's important we start off how we intend to go forward. It's significant that this blessing has been done in partnership with Te Arawa."

The station is due to be officially opened by the Police Minister next month.