New Rotorua Police Station exciting development for staff and community

Rotorua Police will continue to provide full Police services from central Rotorua while the new Rotorua Police Station is built on the existing site in Fenton Street, Rotorua. The Bay of Plenty Police District Headquarters will also be located in the new building, moving from its current site in Hinemoa St, Rotorua.

The development of the new Rotorua Police Station was formally announced by the Minister of Police, Hon Judith Collins, at a press conference in Rotorua this afternoon.

The new purpose-built station is expected to be fully operational by October 2013, with the existing station to be demolished around May 2012. Construction of the new building will commence shortly afterwards.

During the demolition and construction phase, the majority of Rotorua Police services will relocate and operate from a purpose-fitted temporary location directly across the road from the existing site, in the old Spences building at 1199 Fenton Street.

The Custodial Facility, which was opened in 2008, will remain operational in its existing location in Fenton Street. The Police Dog team, Patrol Group, Road Patrol Group and Tactical Group will also operate from the existing location in temporary accommodation.

Rotorua Police Area Commander, Inspector Bruce Horne, says today's announcement is an extremely exciting development for Rotorua – both for staff and for the local community.

"This is a busy and unique Police area and the way we operate has changed significantly even in the past 10 years – let alone since the existing building was first opened more than 40 years ago.

"The new station will be purpose-built for modern-day policing, catering for current and future staffing levels, Police vehicles and resources and easy access for members of the community. The new building will also migrate seamlessly into the state-of-the-art Custodial Facility opened just a few years ago."

Inspector Horne says Rotorua Police will continue to be fully operational during the construction of the new station and will simply be temporarily located across the road.

"We are committed to maintaining our service levels to the wider Rotorua Area during this period.

"Obviously the 111 call system doesn't change as that is managed at the Northern Communications Centre in Auckland. It's just that we will be physically located across the road. The local community should feel reassured that we will be as accessible and available to members of the public as we are today."

Inspector Horne says work is underway on the temporary site, but many details are still to be finalised, including a timeframe for relocation.

"We will be undertaking extensive communication and advertising through the local media, brochures, posters and social media before that time to ensure that people are aware of the upcoming changes and the new location should they require Police services."