Concerns raised inside the force’s top echelons as to the ‘optics’ of the splurge given the resources issues which have plagued police

Police officers have questioned the expense of the “powhiri” ceremony for New Zealander Mike Bush who is taking over as Victoria Police’s new chief commissioner.

Mike Bush’s welcome ceremony is being held on Friday. Picture: Sunlive

Maori elders are flying to Melbourne for an extravagant welcome party for Victoria Police’s new chief commissioner Mike Bush.

The Maori contingent will join several Aboriginal elders for the incoming top cop’s ­“powhiri” ceremony, which will involve traditional singing and dancing.

As concerns were raised about the cost of the event on Wednesday night, a Victoria Police spokesman assured taxpayers the New Zealand group were paying their own way.

Maori elders and Aboriginal elders will be at Mr Bush’s ceremony. Picture: Getty

Sources said the total cost of the ceremony which “transitions visitors into a new space” would be about $5000, funded by the Allan government.

Rank-and-file officers had questioned the ceremony’s expense, with concerns also understood to have been raised inside the force’s top echelons as to the “optics” given the resources issues which have plagued police.

The ceremony will take place at the Police Academy in Glen Waverley on Friday morning and will be attended by several dignitaries including Premier Jacinta Allan.

It’s estimated the ceremony will cost about $5000. Picture: AAP

The welcome ceremony has been kept secret and no media outlet has been invited to film the event, which was expressly requested by Mr Bush for his first day on the job.

Mr Bush worked closely with the Maori community during his time leading New Zealand’s police force from 2014 to 2020.

A police source said Mr Bush was regarded as a “nice guy, very affable, but also very, very PC and woke”.

“This was apparently Mike’s own decision,” the officer said.

“It’s surprising as it sounds like something this government would come up with, but I believe they’re being coy and keeping it small because they know the backlash it will ­create.”

A Victoria Police spokesman said it was a deeply important event.

“The Powhiri is a traditional Maori ceremony that will signify the transfer of Victoria’s new Chief Commissioner and his family from the Maori people to Victoria Police,” the spokesman said.

“The ceremony is a deeply important cultural event for Mr Bush and will be delivered with very minimal costs.”

“Reports that Victoria Police have paid for the costs of flying in guests from New Zealand are entirely wrong. The guests have all paid for their own flights.”

Mr Bush, who has been ­appointed on a five-year contract, faces the task of steering the force out of a turbulent period, with Victoria in the grip of soaring youth crime and ­record-low morale among frontline cops.

Mr Bush has been appointed on a five-year contract. Picture: Ian Currie

During his time leading New Zealand’s police force from 2014 to 2020, he worked closely with the Maori community. Picture: Facebook

Former chief Shane Patton was ousted by the Allan government following a no-confidence union vote against him in February, as revealed by the Herald Sun.

After Mr Patton’s axing, the government chose Rick Nugent for the role of acting chief.

But just 41 days into the job, Mr Nugent stepped down ­despite having earlier stated his desire to lead the force long-term. The shock move came amid allegations of “inappropriate conduct involving a conflict of interest” that had been lodged with Victoria’s anti-corruption body IBAC, though Mr Nugent denied any wrongdoing and said the allegation was not linked to his decision not to continue.

In May, Mr Bush pledged to make cops more visible on the streets and said he was willing to push back against the Allan government’s approach to crime when needed. The former head of New Zealand’s police force also sent a stern message to Victorian crooks, saying: “If you’re a criminal, you should be worried.”

During Mr Bush’s time leading the NZ force he dealt with the Christchurch mosque massacres and White Island volcano eruption.

Mr Bush said his top priorities for Victoria included facing organised crime, youth crime, community tensions and domestic violence, as well as getting more frontline officers out on the streets.

Originally published as Concerns raised inside the force’s top echelons as to the ‘optics’ of the splurge given the resources issues which have plagued police