Prime Minister Mark Brown has reiterated government’s commitment to strengthening the Police Service and praised Police Commissioner Teokotai Joseph for addressing systemic issues.

PM Brown said that this was one area; a ministry that the government has spent considerable time and focus on this year.

“And this is reflected in this year’s budget … where the increase in the appropriation for the police has increased by over a million dollars,” Brown said in Parliament yesterday over the Ministry of Police's $7.7 million budget for 2025/26.

Brown noted morale within the police had improved under the new leadership.

He said the Commissioner, “…certainly hit the ground running and he has also made some important appointments within the Ministry in particular in the area of financial management where he has a top person in there managing the Ministry’s finances,” he said.

However, Opposition leader Tina Browne welcomed the government’s increased support for the Police Service and called for greater accountability and action on unresolved complaints.

Browne described the structural changes as a positive development, especially in light of past financial mismanagement.

She said she heard that the new Police Commissioner was restructuring the police department.

“For me these are good steps forward because we know in the last two or three years that the accounting is not done properly for the police and some of the ladies in the accounts are to blame for the deficiencies.”

She urged the Minister for Police, PM Brown and the Commissioner to revisit these unresolved historical cases.

“There have been some complaints and every time I make some enquiries, the police will always say they are investigating,” she said. “Maybe it’s about time to give [these cases] to the Crown Law office to reconsider these complaints.”

She thanked the government for raising police personnel numbers and acknowledged the restructuring being implemented under the new Police Commissioner.

“I have assured you all and I am very grateful that the government have given an increase to personnel for the police,” Browne said.

She highlighted that the Police Service is one of the agencies that has been asking to increase their personnel though recruiting new police officers is not very popular.

Titikaveka MP Sonny Williams said the new Commissioner had addressed long-standing issues, including unspent personnel funds. He said in previous years up to $400,000 had been returned to the Crown due to unutilised funds.

“We have been blaming this government for not giving the money for the police force,” he said. “Yes, we do give the money but hasn’t been distributed… we’ve seen what this new Commissioner has done to increase the pay for the police officers.”

Williams praised the Commissioner’s back pay for existing officers and encouraged him to “speak out” on police issues.

“I do feel that the Commissioner needs to stand up and be heard. On all police matters good or bad,” he said.

“I think this is part of getting public confidence back into the police and with that, I give him all the encouragement and full support on this project.”

MP for Ruaau, Tim Varu, added his support, particularly for community policing, saying it was vital for public safety in tourism areas.

“I believe not enough police constables to serve that’s why we’re facing all this,” he said. “Believe community policing can support address the problem.”

He also pointed to concerns raised on social media about tourist safety.

Stephen Matapo, MP for Mauke, acknowledged that public criticism of police performance was valid but argued that lack of resources was the root issue.

“These are not failing of the people in uniform—they are the result of insufficient funding and support,” Matapo said. “Despite these obstacles, police continue to serve with dedication… often unseen and unthanked.”

He welcomed the budget increase and reiterated that maintaining law and order is a shared responsibility.

“To our people—security, safety and protection of law and order [are] not the sole responsibility of police, but are shared duties that belong to all in the community,” he said.

The new budget of $7,736,794 represents a substantial increase in police funding and comes as part of a wider effort to rebuild confidence in law enforcement and strengthen community engagement across the country.

The revival of community policing in Takitumu and Puaikura is set to begin on July 1, 2025.

Meanwhile, PM Brown welcomed increased cooperation with New Zealand’s police force, following a historic visit by the NZ Police Commissioner Richard Chambers.

“I look forward to the engagements, the collaboration and training opportunities, resourcing, and sharing of information that will result from this close collaboration with our counterparts in the NZ police.”

The 2025/2026 Budget was passed in Parliament yesterday.