Katene Rahui: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Katene Rahui: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:676;Page:21504] 
11. 
RAHUI KATENE (Maori Party—Te Tai Tonga) 
 to the  
Minister of Police 
: Has she investigated reports that Taupo police were racially motivated when questioning the senior rugby writer for the Pretoria News Vata Ngobeni; and if so what conclusions has she reached regarding his statement that he was targeted as the “unlucky black man in Taupo”? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police) 
: 
 No under section 16 of the Policing Act 2008 this is an operational matter that is the responsibility of the Commissioner of Police. But if anyone wants to make a complaint over this matter the appropriate course of action is to ask the Independent Police Conduct Authority to carry out an investigation. I am sure it will get to the truth of the matter. 
Rahui Katene 
: Is the Minister aware of the value of cultural competency as being advanced by the Maori Party and what training in cultural competency do police officers currently receive in order to ensure quality service to the public? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: Police officers receive cultural competency training as recruits specifically around engaging with Maori Pasifika and ethnic communities. The police run a further five specialist courses per year open to all police employees. These courses are attended by middle to senior managers throughout the organisation. In just the last month Responsiveness to Maori training was delivered on the marae in Hastings to all staff in the Eastern Police District. Week-long Maori courses have also been held for staff being hosted on the marae at Tokomaru Bay. Staff also receive training on human rights issues and on the police’s own code of conduct. Each of the 12 police districts has engaged senior Maori leaders to provide advice on cultural issues relevant to Maori communities and in the main centres senior ethnic and Pacific advisers have established fora to engage with police on cultural issues relevant to their communities. Police have also produced significant resources to engage with Maori Pasifika and ethnic communities and to assist in educating staff about those communities. A specialist police team was established in response to the tragic events of the February 2011 earthquake. Its members have been praised for their professional and empathetic approach in dealing with victims’ families from over 20 different nationalities. Finally I am delighted to confirm that the New Zealand Police was just this year the proud recipient of the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand Public Sector Excellence Award for excellence in recognising ethnic diversity. 
Rahui Katene 
: What training do police officers receive about how to avoid ethnic profiling—the practice of race or ethnicity becoming a factor in deciding when and how to intervene in an enforcement capacity? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: In calling the Minister I hope that the answer can be a little shorter. 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: I will not repeat the last answer but basically all of the above. That is one of the reasons why New Zealand police are the finest police in the world and I am extremely proud of them.