New Zealand Police have announced the recruitment of four Australian police officers, turning the tables on Australia after months of tensions over aggressive cross-Tasman recruitment campaigns.
The officers, from Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland, began a shortened 10-week training course at the Royal New Zealand Police College in late May, instead of the usual 20 weeks.
The announcement comes after NZ Police Commissioner Richard Chambers in October criticised the Northern Territory's “aggressive” face-to-face recruitment drive in New Zealand. At that time, NZ Police revealed that in the two years to October, they had received more than 670 vetting requests from Australian forces, with 212 officers resigning to move to Australia.
NZ Police Assistant Commissioner Jeanette Park said the four new recruits were part of a campaign launched in Australia in late 2025, which also aimed to lure Kiwi officers back to the force.
“Since the campaign launched, we have had seven officers rejoin and almost 40 expressions of interest from Australian police officers who have never worked for New Zealand Police before,” Ms Park said.
“Many of those said that going through 20 weeks of training was a barrier to making the move.”
The shortened course focuses on key areas, allowing experienced officers to get to the frontline faster. “These officers will be huge assets to New Zealand with years of experience under their belts,” Ms Park added.
The recruitment drive comes amid a public stoush between top cops in New Zealand and Australia. NT Police had offered salaries of A$140,000 plus A$30,000 housing subsidies, attracting about 55 Kiwi officers.
The trans-Tasman rivalry has also spilled into politics. After Australia's May budget introduced capital gains tax changes, NZ Finance Minister Nicola Willis invited Australian entrepreneurs to New Zealand, highlighting its lack of a capital gains tax.
“Where the bloody hell are you? Come over … This is a government that isn’t planning to raid you with more taxes,” she said.
Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Christopher Luxon met in Queensland on Saturday for annual talks. Albanese dismissed Willis's remarks as “tongue-in-cheek”. Luxon, however, focused on New Zealand's economy, saying a CGT would be a “wrecking ball”.
