The new Rotorua police station is almost finished - at least from the outside.
This week an artwork representing a korowai (cloak) is due to be fitted along the front of the station. As well as depicting a taniwha, the carvings, designed by Te Arawa artist Lyonel Grant, will also act as a large sunscreen.
Staff from Rotorua police and the Bay of Plenty district headquarters are expected to have moved into the $18.5 million building in May, when it will be blessed by a local kaumatua. The official opening is not expected until June.
Acting Area Commander, Inspector Tim Anderson said there was a lot of eager anticipation building around the move, especially as the current Rotorua police teams were housed in varying states of temporary accommodation in the area.
"The great thing is we'll all be back in one building and our communication lines will be in one place," he said. "Some of us are in Spences and the frontline and road policing teams are in the portacom. Everyone's eager to move in, although our temporary accommodation has been really good. In the old days temporary accommodation was pretty rough. "I can still remember in the old station the roof would leak something chronic. There'd be water running down the wiring, it was certainly past its use-by date. It used to freeze staff in winter and the heat would kill them off. It's going to be a pleasant environment."
