Long stay for policeman

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 278, 14 March 1989, Page 10

Long stay for policeman

by

julie

Nation

If anyone was to ask former Auckland Police Constable Peter Gardner why he opted out of city life and settled for the Waimarino, he would promptly rattle off a long list of reasons.

The North Shore Police Constable who grew up in a small town in the central Hawkes Bay is the first to sing the praises of rural communities. Peter Gardner and his wife Katrina took up residence in Raetihi in November last year and by all accounts are committed to a long stay. The 29-year-old police constable is still relatively new to the profession, after only three and a half years on the force. Upon leaving secondary school he gained work experience selling insurance for A.M.P., on a freezing works chain, contract kiwi fruit pruning and as a wool buyer. Mr Gardner says he was "put off" joining the police force at the age of 18 by veterans in the profession who warned him of the dangers of premature out.Now, after serving in high-stress Auckland, he is glad he listened to that advice. The opportunity to take up a sole-charge

position in Raetihi was speedily taken up, according to Mr Gardner. As well as a welcome change of pace, it also offered the chance for advancement through experience. "In big centres you've got all your different departments - arms, youth aid - etc. In small towns they're all rolled into one. It gives you the chance to become wellrounded." Growing up in a small town means he can relate to any similar problems that may be experienced in the community. Mr Gardner says he is committed to eliminating the negative outlook prevalent in the town and says, so far, he cannot find fault with the community.

The constable will also be making time to pursue leisure activities, including rugby and hunting. He is a keen non-competitive horseman and has tried his hand at sky-diving, although not quite making the jump quota entitling him to freefall. Until recently he was an enthusiast of power lifting and weight lifting. His wife Katrina, a former office manager for New Zealand Insurance in Auckland, has taken up a full-time position at New World Supermarket in Ohakune. Mr Gardner is keen to begin work on his sergeant's exams while in the Waimarino. He has set his sights on staying in the region at least three years - "the first year to find my feet; the second year to get sorted out and the third year to get bored," he said.