New police chief for the south

The southern district’s new top police officer wants the south to become the safest place in the country.

Southern District Commander Superintendent Jason Guthrie was welcomed to Ōtākou Marae yesterday, along with Inspector Daniel Williams, who recently took up the role of Māori Responsibility Manager for the Southern District.

Police and their families from across New Zealand were also welcomed with a pōwhiri performed by members of Kāi Tahu.

Chief Constable Guthrie said his new role was to make the Southern Police District the safest in the country.

“This is an incredibly humbling experience for me. I am a little bird that has flown to a very tall tree.

“It is an absolute honour and privilege to be given this role. It is something I have never experienced before. I may have left Dunedin but my heart has never left it.”

Chief Superintendent Guthrie spent the first 25 years of his police career in Dunedin. Most recently he worked in Wellington in various roles at the National Headquarters.

He promised to work hard for all police officers and the people living in the Southern District, and was curious to see what the future would bring.

He said he was glad he wasn’t the only one in the spotlight and that he enjoyed sharing the spotlight.

Inspector Williams, originally from Kaikohe, moved south from Kaitaia after working in Northland for the past 13 years. He will celebrate his 14th anniversary with the force in September.

“I fully realize how much responsibility this role entails.

“(This role) is important to me because I come from an area where Māoritanga and whānau are everything. You don’t have to grow up in Northland to understand what our people go through.”

He said he wanted to help people within the work, but also the community and the district.

“From tomorrow I will learn more about this area and everyone, and discover my Kāi Tahu side to fuel the Ngāpuhi fire.”

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