04 September 2024 – New Zealand
Anaru Graham recently started his new role of Senior Prevention Partnerships Advisor – Community for Police National Headquarters. He will be working closely with three community organisations as part of his role: Neighbourhood Support New Zealand, Community Patrol New Zealand and Limited service volunteer (LSV).
We gathered with the Iwi and Communities police team to welcome Anaru, which was the perfect opportunity to present him with a Police Commissioner's Award, in recognition of contributions to Neighbourhood Watch Australasia.
Anaru is a big champion of Neighbourhood Support – so much so that we made him our very first 'Community Champion" [Read more here] – and we are very excited to have him on board! Learn more about him below...
"Tena koe, Ko Anaru Graham ahau.
I have just joined the Iwi and Communities team for Police National Headquarters.
I am born and bred in the Hawkes Bay, growing up in a police family with my father and uncle both being in the police, currently living here with my own family. I whakapapa to Kawhia, (Ngati Hikairo) where I spent a number of my school holidays with my grandparents, whanau and whanauga burning my feet on the black sand, eating the abundance of cockles we gathered.
I refer to these things as they are most important to me, they are also the reasons I have become who I am as a person, the reasons that have shaped me, along with my life experiences from both Police and my personal life. Growing up knowing you have people around you that support you and connect you to the whenua and community makes me feel safe.
I joined the Police in 1997 and since graduating from Police college I’ve been privileged to have worked in some absolutely amazing places, meeting some incredible people along the way - people who have shown me the importance of being connected and belonging to a community.
Over the years of working in community, it has become apparent to me that knowing where you come from is equally important as knowing where you are going - even more so is knowing that anyone and everyone can help make a community safer by being connected, this is why I am so passionate about Neighbourhood Support.
My Police career started in South Auckland and my passion to grow Neighbourhood Support has only grown stronger after seeing first-hand the difference that being connected with neighbours can have in making us feel safe, and how looking out for each other helps keep us safe.
It has been events like Covid and Cyclone Gabrielle that have shown me that you can’t beat kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) for building partnerships and showing that you care, these events have also show how we (the Police) can’t do the mahi alone, we need the support of our communities to make a difference.
I am excited to be in the role and look forward to meeting some of you in person in the near future."
-ENDS
About Neighbourhood Support New Zealand
Neighbourhood Support is a nationwide community led movement that brings people and neighbourhoods together to create safe, resilient, and connected communities. Over 220,000 households are part of our growing network. Neighbourhood Support work alongside NZ Police and other partners to equip neighbourhoods to improve safety, be prepared for emergencies and support one another so that our communities are great places to live.
Address (appointment only)
C/O Police National Headquarters
180 Molesworth Street
Thorndon, Wellington, 6011
New Zealand
Email - info@neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz
Phone - 0800 4 NEIGHBOURS (0800 463 444)
Twitter - https://twitter.com/nsnewzealand
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