Building safer Manawatū through stronger community connections

People from across the Manawatū district gathered at the Feilding Fire Station on Saturday for the “Stronger Together – Ethnic Communities Safety Forum”, an event focused on strengthening community safety through volunteering, collaboration and participation in community patrols.

The forum was organised by Bhartiya Samaj Lower North Island in partnership with Community Patrols of New Zealand (CPNZ) and New Zealand Police.

The event brought together representatives from Māori, Fijian, Indian and South-East Asian communities, alongside local government representatives, community organisations and safety groups.

The forum highlighted the importance of building safer and more connected communities by encouraging greater involvement from ethnic communities in local community patrols and other volunteer initiatives.

Community Patrols of New Zealand Chair Chris Lawton said community safety could not be achieved by police alone and required strong partnerships across the community.

“Community means responsibility. We all have a role to play in creating safer communities. Community patrols are about people stepping up, working together and supporting police through visibility, reassurance and prevention,” Lawton said.

Lawton emphasised the long-standing partnership between Community Patrols of New Zealand and police, describing community patrol volunteers as the “eyes and ears” of their communities.

He said more than 5,000 volunteers across New Zealand contribute thousands of hours each year helping prevent crime, support vulnerable people and provide reassurance to residents.

He also encouraged people from diverse backgrounds to consider becoming community patrol volunteers.

Photo: Supplied 

“We want our patrols to reflect the communities they serve. Forums like this are about building awareness, creating connections and showing people how they can get involved.”

Manawatū District Council’s Welcoming Communities Chair Rishi Sharma said safety was a shared responsibility that transcends culture, ethnicity and background.

Councillor Rob Duindam said, “Every person deserves to live free from harm, victimisation and fear. Creating safe communities requires everyone working together - families, schools, community groups, councils, volunteers and police.”

Drawing on his policing background, Duindam highlighted the importance of trust, representation and meaningful engagement with diverse communities.

“Police are the people and people are the police. That principle remains as relevant today as it was 200 years ago. Community safety cannot rest solely with law enforcement,” Duindam said.

Representatives from New Zealand Police, including Central District Māori, Pacific and Ethnic Services staff, also addressed the forum.

Photo: Supplied 

Inspector Clifford Brown spoke about the importance of diversity within the police workforce and the role strong community partnerships play in achieving safer communities.

“Our communities are becoming increasingly diverse, and it's important that our police service reflects that diversity. Greater representation helps build trust, confidence and stronger engagement with the communities we serve,” Brown said.

He outlined the wide range of career pathways available within New Zealand Police and encouraged people from ethnic communities to consider policing as a career.

Throughout the forum, local community patrol volunteers shared their experiences and explained how even a single four-hour shift each month could make a meaningful contribution to community safety.

The event also provided an opportunity for participants to learn more about volunteering, community patrols and pathways into policing, while strengthening connections between community groups, local authorities and safety organisations.

Organisers said the forum was part of an ongoing effort to strengthen collaboration between ethnic communities, community patrol groups and local authorities throughout Manawatū.

By bringing people together to share experiences, build relationships and explore opportunities for service, the forum reinforced the message that stronger communities are built when everyone works together.