Auckland (NZ Punjabi News) – New Zealand Police are facing an escalating staffing crisis as increasing numbers of officers leave for Australia, attracted by significantly higher salaries, cash incentives and better benefits.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has acknowledged New Zealand simply cannot compete with the lucrative offers being made by Australian police forces, particularly in the Northern Territory.
Official Information Act figures obtained by 1News reveal at least 144 New Zealand police officers moved to Australia over the past year. Nearly one-third of all police resignations are now linked to officers relocating across the Tasman.
Australian recruitment efforts have intensified sharply, with police agencies making 268 vetting requests for New Zealand officers between January 2025 and March 2026.
Queensland led the recruitment drive with 97 requests, followed by Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. However, the Northern Territory has emerged as the most aggressive recruiter, recording 91 vetting requests in the past year alone.
Chambers said Australian police agencies were actively targeting experienced Kiwi officers.
“I’ve told my police commissioner colleagues across Australia that I would rather they didn’t come to New Zealand and poach my people,” he said.
Despite his frustration, Chambers admitted he understands why officers are leaving.
A constable with five years’ experience in New Zealand can earn up to about NZ$95,000, while police packages in Australia’s Northern Territory can exceed NZ$160,000 once allowances and incentives are included.
“We simply cannot match the pay at that level,” Chambers said.
The pay gap is proving difficult to overcome, with Australian police forces also offering relocation incentives worth tens of thousands of dollars.
Police Association president Steve Watt said New Zealand had little chance of matching those offers.
“We’re talking $20,000 incentives to move, and in many jurisdictions over there, upwards of $30,000 Australian uplift in pay,” Watt said.
The recruitment campaign is already delivering results for Australia. Northern Territory Police confirmed 20 former New Zealand officers were part of its latest graduating class in April, with further recruitment drives planned in New Zealand later this year.
The growing exodus comes as New Zealand Police continue to battle recruitment shortages, retention issues and concerns around workforce morale.
