Inspector Maria Nordstrom has come full circle in her policing career, returning as area commander for Whangārei Kaipara District, where she started as a constable on the beat.
Nordstrom, with 32 years policing experience, was recently welcomed at a powhiri at Naumai Marae, Ruawai, and says she was as passionate about policing now as she was when she began as a 24-year-old at Dargaville Station.
"This was the start of my path and journey that I know has already been laid out for me, bringing me full circle back to where it all began. I am very humbled. It's an incredible privilege and responsibility to be appointed to this pivotal leadership role."
She is invested in the community, strengthening partnerships, crime prevention and has a strong victim focus.
"Building strong relationships with iwi Māori, government and community partners is key to supporting victims, by working together to break this systemic cycle of harm, and reduce victimisation," Nordstrom says.
She says her being in the role was the result of experiences through her career and the influence of many gathered for the pōwhiri - community members, partners, people who had been harmed and people who had caused harm.
"It's about the people and making New Zealand a better safer place to live. I've walked the journey as a frontline officer and have seen the challenges over the decades. I've seen our district develop and grow and transform into what it is now."
She says dealing natural disasters and pandemics were adding another layer to the way Police worked in partnership with communities.
Nordstrom's career has been in two phases - the first 15 years spent in Kaipara working a variety of frontline roles.
She decided to leave Police temporarily to raise her three young tamariki.
In 2007 she returned and progressed into leadership roles. She was appointed the inaugural Northland District Victim and Family Violence Manager in 2013 with the introduction of Prevention First strategy.
It was a significant shift in mindset for Police, putting victims at the centre of Police work, creating Victim intervention plans and working closely with repeat victims.
Taking on a national role in Wellington in Victim Partnerships 2019 was invaluable for Nordstrom, who said it allowed for growth in her leadership. Three and a half years later came the call to return home.
On reflection, she says, she was proud to have played a pivotal role in driving systemic change for victims of crime at a national level.
Returning to Northland coincides with the launch of a victims pilot program in Whangārei this month much of which is based on Nordstrom's work and is considered her "brainchild".
The pilot is part of the Better Outcomes for Victims work programme which follows an investment by government of $46 million to develop a sector-wide victims operating model over the next three years.
The pilot will focus on victims of serious harm whose cases enter the court system, providing improved safety planning throughout the process, with a focus on bail hearings and collaborative ways of working across justice and community partners.
"From a policing perspective Whangārei was considered a good place to launch the pilot due to already established integrated ways of working building on already established working partnerships with Iwi hapu, government and community for the past 10 years.
"It's good to be home and to be able to give back and invest back with staff and the community."
