Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha has extensive experience in strategic, operational and tactical policing, relating to the prevention of offending and victimisation of Māori, Pacific & Ethnic people.

He has a proven track record of producing extraordinary results, acknowledged with the Queens Service Medal in 1998 for services to the community while a member of the Criminal Investigation Branch, and Officer in Charge of Community Policing.

He was awarded the Police Commissioner’s Commendation for establishing the first Memorandum of Understanding between Police and 14 major Iwi groups in Bay of Plenty District in 2000 – an historic and significant event which marked the beginning of a relationship and partnership model that is now embedded into the structure of policing.

He was also awarded a Commissioner’s Commendation for dedication to duty and leading the largest Māori protest Hïkoi (march) in history – from Northland to Wellington – without incident or arrest. As a consequence, he secured the lasting trust and confidence of Māori activists, a relationship that has had a significant impact on the management of Waitangi Day at Te Tii (Tea) Marae since 2004.

Wally’s work has been widely recognised, locally and internationally, for engaging with diverse communities.

He has been awarded prizes for innovation by the Institute of Public Administration of NZ and has seen Police named top public sector agency for Super Diversity.

He continues to lead the development of major policy programmes such as The Turning of the Tide Whanau Ora Strategy, The Justice Sector Māori Outcomes Strategy, Iwi Justice Panels, the National Sponsor for Alternate Resolutions, the Ethnic & Pacific Peoples Strategy and National Māori Wardens Project.

He has led work to build the cultural capability of Police across all districts and has driven the implementation of the restorative justice initiative Te Pae(pie) Oranga (or-rung-a), formerly known as Iwi Community Panels. 

In addition Wally was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2017 for services to NZ Police and Māori, Pacific and ethnic communities.

On 3 June 2018 Wally was appointed to the position of Statutory Deputy Commissioner by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.