Celebrations marking 75 years of women in policing in New Zealand kicked off at the Cape Reinga lighthouse carpark this morning with a torch relay that will take nearly a month to work its way down the island to the Bay of Plenty.

Another relay starts at Bluff. The two torches will meet in Wellington on August 1, after stopping off for events in towns and cities along the way to raise awareness of women in policing.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush and Minister Judith Collins with Auckland women constables wearing replica uniforms.From Left: Mike Bush, Constables Alice Renouf (1940s frock), Alex Fanene (1940s blue) Chesna Sanders (1950s), Police Minister Judith Collins, and Constables Anneke O'Neill (1960s), Ali Hellesoe (1970s) and Lauren Jones (1980s/90s) Patrice Koks (operational). Photo: Supplied

Police Commissioner Mike Bush says the 75th anniversary of Women in Policing has been planned so that women in police whether past or present, sworn or non-sworn, and the communities Police serve have an opportunity to celebrate the milestone.

The artwork of the design of the torch travelling across the country has been based on the New Zealand Police whakataukï and tohu - 'E tu ki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e nga ngaru o te wa”. 'Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face.”

After the relay the torch will be displayed as a taonga for future generations of women in police.

'Women are now an integral part of policing and I know our district-based staff are looking forward to celebrating with their communities as the relay passes through many towns and cities across the country,” says Mike.

Commissioner Bush says the use of the Police tohu is appropriate as the 75th Anniversary recognises the women of the past who have forged the way for women to thrive and succeed in NZ Police today.

The relay event is also being used as a recruitment tool, showcasing New Zealand Police as a fantastic place to work for women who seek a rewarding career.

A reunion for retired staff is being held at the Royal New Zealand Police College on 30-31 July prior to the National Parade being held in Wellington on August 1.

Any retired staff interested in participating in these events should email.

The North Island torch is expected to be handed over for the Bay of Plenty portion of its journey at Athenree on July 13, and be driven to Katikati in a patrol car for afternoon tea at the Katikati police station.

Then the torch will travel to Putaruru, which is in the Bay of Plenty Police district.

The timetable then goes like this:

Friday, July 15:

•Rotorua to Greer Station •Travel through Pyes Pa and TeMatai Road

•Tauranga South Police Station •TGA South Event Friday Night TBC

Saturday, July 16"

•Tauranga South Police Station TBC

•Waka from Tauranga Marine to Pilot Bay •Torch to be accepted from the Marina by a Maori Waka from Te Puna

•Coastguard, Surf Club etc to follow as support crew

•TeArawa WakaAma club will supply boats for members to paddle

•If weather is bad the torch will be transported via Coastguard boat or something similar

•Pilot Bay •BBQ lunch at Pilot Bay or Mt Maunganui Station with members/community partners

•Walk up Mt Maunganui summit and back down

•Papamoa Station •Cycle from Mt Maunganui to Papamoa

•Afternoon tea with community partners

•Tauranga Memorial Park •Meet families/community at Memorial Park

•Run/walk along Devenport Road, onto The Strand, to Tauranga Station

•Possibly to have Police bagpipes

•Tauranga Police Station •BBQ with ex police staff and community partners

Sunday, July 17:

•TePuke •Morning tea at Te Puke Station with Community Partners

•Hand over at Otamarakau to EBOP at noon

•Relay from Kawerau to Whakatane •Transport to involve Vintage Cars, Rail carts, Patrol Car & Cyclist

•Will go through Kawerau, Te Teko, Edgecumbe, & Tanetua stations and get a photo at each station

•Afternoon pot luck finger food @ Whakatane CPT rooms approx. 4 pm •Past and present Staff members & family to attend

Monday, July 18:

•Short Parade through Whakatane CBD with present/past members – sworn and employees •Approx. 930 Photo/media session outside the station - attendees include woman in Partner agencies, CPNZ, Maori Wardens etc

•Vintage Fire Engine Ride from Station to Port Ohope

•Ohiwa Harbour Wainui via Paddleboard

•Wainui to Opotiki – patrol car – Photos opportunity at Opotiki station with local dignitaries

•Patrol car from Opotiki to Te Kaha

•Hand over to Gisborne at Potaka approx. 4pm