Police recruitment target and new college

The story so far

Ministers conceded in May 2025 that the government would miss its November target of hiring 500 extra police officers, and Police Minister Mark Mitchell set a new target of reaching that figure before the 2026 election, citing changes to training and attrition.^{13 May 2025} In June 2025, police spent nearly $120,000 wrapping five Auckland Transport double-decker buses in police livery for a three-month recruitment campaign aimed at 500 new officers, at a time when applications were at a ten-year high.^{4 Jun 2025} Later that month, a new Royal New Zealand Police College campus opened at Massey University in Albany, currently hosting a class of 40 trainees and intended to help recruit the additional officers.^{1 Jul 2025} Commissioner Richard Chambers said some former officers who had moved to Australia had expressed interest in returning.^{1 Jul 2025}

Latest

The newest development is the opening of the Albany police college campus, which Commissioner Richard Chambers said has drawn interest from former officers in Australia.^{1 Jul 2025}

What's next

The government's revised target is to reach 500 extra officers before the 2026 election.^{13 May 2025}

Key moments

1. 13 May 2025Government concedes it will miss the November target of 500 extra officers.
2. 13 May 2025Mark Mitchell sets new target of reaching 500 officers before 2026 election.
3. 4 Jun 2025Police spend nearly $120,000 wrapping Auckland buses for recruitment campaign.
4. 4 Jun 2025Police applications reach a ten-year high during the recruitment push.
5. 1 Jul 2025New police college campus opens at Massey University in Albany.
6. 1 Jul 2025Commissioner says some former officers in Australia are interested in returning.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.