December 16, 2021
Checks needed on checkpoint kaimahi
Police are defending the vetting of iwi volunteers working on the checkpoints heading into Te Taitokerau.
There tensions between the groups yesterday after some volunteers were turned away because no check had been done on whether they had criminal convictions.
Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha says the legislation allowing police to use the volunteers was only passed last week, and included a requirement people who are delegated to enforce the health orders be vetted and trained.
He says the relationship with iwi in the north has been built up over many years, and the issue is a minor wrinkle that can be resolved.
“Vetting is an important part of reassuring those coming through the checkpoints, and I think people would expect we set some parameters around who we authorise to work with us,” Mr Haumaha says.
The first day of the checkpoint went well, with only a few cars being turned back because occupants could not show they were double vaccinated or had a recent negative Covid test.