Deputy Police Commissioner Tania Kura Retires After 37 Years of Service

In a significant development for New Zealand's policing community, Deputy Police Commissioner Tania Kura has announced her retirement after an impressive 37-year career with the New Zealand Police. Kura, who has served in numerous leadership roles across the country, is set to step down from her position in November this year, marking the end of a remarkable journey in law enforcement.

Kura's career began in 1987 when she joined the Royal New Zealand Police College, graduating in 1988. She started her professional life as a constable in Christchurch, a city she would later return to in various leadership capacities. Over the years, she has worked in multiple districts, including Canterbury, Southern, Central, Bay of Plenty, and Eastern, in both uniform and investigative roles, as well as in leadership positions.

In 2020, Kura made history by becoming the first female police officer to be appointed Deputy Commissioner. She was also the first female to hold the interim role of Police Commissioner in November 2021, following the resignation of Andrew Coster, before Richard Chambers took over the role. Her most recent assignment saw her oversee frontline operations, managing investigations and daily policing across all 12 police districts.

Kura's leadership and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Police Minister Mark Mitchell expressed his gratitude for her service, stating that she had played a vital role in shaping the New Zealand Police over the past few years. “I wish to acknowledge Deputy Commissioner Kura for her service, and I wish her and her family the best for the future,” Mitchell said.

Kura herself reflected on her career with pride and gratitude. “This has been a fulfilling, challenging and unbelievably rewarding career,” she said. “I have had the privilege of policing in a diverse range of communities across the country and working alongside some fantastic people.”

Her retirement marks the beginning of a new chapter in her life, but the impact she has made on the police force and the communities she has served will not be forgotten. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers praised her contributions, noting that her long and impressive career has been a source of inspiration for many within the force.

With her retirement, the Public Service Commission has already begun the recruitment process for the Deputy Commissioner positions. Her legacy will certainly be a benchmark for future leaders in the New Zealand Police.

Kura's journey from a constable to a top-ranking officer is a testament to her resilience, dedication, and leadership. As she steps into retirement, the police community and the public will remember her as a trailblazer who has paved the way for future generations of women in law enforcement.