Nearly 40 New Zealand police officers have crossed the Tasman to take up jobs with Northern Territory Police, drawn by lucrative salaries and housing benefits that dwarf what they earn at home, RNZ reports.
First-year constables in the Northern Territory earn A$111,000 (NZ$137,000) compared with NZ$83,000 for recruits in New Zealand. Officers can earn up to A$125,000 pre-tax, receive A$1000 for every overtime shift, and access annual housing benefits worth more than A$31,000.
So far, RNZ reports, 36 officers from New Zealand have made the move. Seventeen have completed training and been deployed, while another 19 began their training last week. Recruitment seminars held in the Eastern Bay of Plenty last year drew strong interest.
Northern Territory Police acting superintendent of recruitment Serge Bouma told RNZ money was a major factor but said adventure also played a role. “We want people who are looking for something different,” he said.
“Many of the New Zealand officers are motivated to secure a stronger financial future for their families.”
New Zealand Police Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny admitted her force could not compete on pay. “The reality is we can’t compete if they are after money alone,” she told RNZ’s Morning Report, adding that 98 per cent of recent departures from Bay of Plenty Police were financially motivated.
Penny likened overseas policing to a modern-day “OE” (overseas experience) for Kiwi officers and said New Zealand’s focus would be on reminding them of the importance of serving at home.
“We can’t compete with the finance, but what we can do is remind them that New Zealand is home.”
Despite the losses, Penny insisted police recruitment campaigns were strong and that the force remained committed to the Government’s target of 500 additional officers.
Between January 2023 and April 2025, New Zealand Police received 675 vetting requests from Australian jurisdictions, indicating hundreds more staff may have already left. However, police also noted many officers eventually return.
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