NT Police set sights on New Zealand talent amid recruitment push

NT Police’s pay packages are attracting plenty of interest abroad, with almost 50 Kiwis tossing their hat in the ring for a chance to join the force and move to the Territory.

More than 40 Kiwi applicants will be interviewed by NT Police in the coming weeks as the Territory ramps up efforts to reinforce its cop community.

NT Police’s pay packages are attracting plenty of interest abroad, with almost 50 Kiwis planning to pick up and move to the Territory in the coming months.

In November, NT Police sent a recruitment to New Zealand’s North Island with a view to poach local cops, amid the Territory’s push to expand its personnel numbers.

NT Police Senior Sergeant and Kiwi convert Jason Thackeray told this masthead he would be keen to join to help lure his compatriots.

“The pay is considerably better (in the NT Police) than the New Zealand police,” he said at the time.

“The wages haven’t really gone up for New Zealand police officers, but you could easily earn double the amount with the NT Police as long as you work hard, and (you’re) willing to go out into the communities.”

An NT Police delegation visited Auckland (pictured), Wellington, Whakatane and Taupo in November in a bid to lure Kiwi cops across the ditch.

Using the roadshow to laud Australia’s higher wages, lower cost-of-living and opportunities for family, it’s been revealed the special delegation returned to the Territory with almost 50 applications ready to progress.

Another delegation will return to Aotearoa in March to assess the interested Kiwis, with a NT Police spokeswoman saying the applicants had shown “strong” interested in Territory policing.

“The recruitment team regularly travels throughout the Territory and beyond (and) next month we will be heading to New Zealand to interview current applicants,” she said.

“Whilst there, we will also be conducting information sessions for the benefit of those who may be interested in the unique opportunities a policing career in the Northern Territory offers.”

The pay discrepancy between NT Police officers and their New Zealand counterparts is significant. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Territory’s recruitment strategy clashes with New Zealand’s Government’s plan to hire 500 extra police officers in the next two years.

Currently, the average yearly income for a fifth year New Zealand constable is $82,434AUD.

By comparison, a fifth year constable working in the Territory could expect to earn a base salary of $86,241AUD, a relocation allowance of $20,000 and a housing allowance of $31,214.

This brings the total package to $137,000AUD.

It is understood the current crop of Kiwi applicants range between seasoned veterans and those seeking a career change.

Originally published as NT Police set sights on New Zealand talent amid recruitment push