Podcast appearances and mentions of andrew coster

With Chlöe Swarbrick, Andrew Coster, Marcel Dirsus and Suze Redmayne

Cops will stay on the beat in the Auckland CBD. The government will boost anti-crime measures across central Auckland with $1.3 million of funding as a result of the Proceeds of Crime Fund. The Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 enables New Zealand Police to seize money and assets that have been obtained directly or indirectly from the proceeds of crime. Once all legal matters are addressed, the recovered money is placed in the Proceeds of Crime Fund. This latest move was announced by Auckland Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee an it's been greeted wholeheartedly by retailers and residents It will see the new federal street station open 24/7. That station will open in the middle of the year. And of course, this is a good thing. My question was always why did we stop doing this in the first place? The cop on the beat is a sign to one and all, citizens and criminals, that the police are in control of the streets, not the ratbags. For me, it's the first thing the police would fund not the last. And that perception that it's important has been reinforced by the new funding coming from the Proceeds of Crime Fund and not the general budget. My question is who thought no cops on the beat was a good idea in the first place? It's tempting to blame Andrew Coster and the last government who were soft on crime. But it' been going on far longer than that. It's another example of public service being told to cut budgets and then cutting good stuff instead of bad. And another thing about the funding. This is not just a problem for the Auckland CBD. It's nationwide in cities and towns and suburban shopping centres. What about them? We'll wait to see if the budget shows a changed emphasis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard Chambers was appointed the new police commissioner this week and has already waded into discussing the controversial area of routinely arming police. He's taking over from Andrew Coster who stepped down last week to instead head up the new Social Investment Agency. Chambers said the appointment was one of the "highest honours of my life". He joins Mihi to talk about what he will bring to the top role.

The auditions are over and it's official, a former Assistant commisioner Richard Chambers will step into the job of police commissioner. The role was vacated by his boss Andrew Coster last week . He's now heading up the government's new social investment agency. Richard Chambers spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand's new Police Commissioner is keeping an open mind about arming front line staff. Deputy Commissioner Richard Chambers is replacing Andrew Coster - and has just returned from secondment with Interpol in France. He says he's worked with many jurisdictions over the years, and hopes New Zealand doesn't get the point of arming cops. But Chambers says policing is complex and volatile, and he'll do all he can to protect his staff. "I've got to keep an open mind -what do my staff need? What sort of support do they need? I think we need to get to that place as a country." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell has announced Richard Chambers as the next police commissioner, replacing Andrew Coster who is leaving to head up the new Social Investment Agency. Chambers, who is currently the Assistant Police Commissioner, said the job would be a "highlight" of his life, and spoke to media about his policing style, the new gang patch ban and getting the nickname "Felix".

The Police have announced a new phased approach to attending lesser mental health-related callouts, that are not of high risk or are related to crime, with the next phase aimed at handing over these responsibilities to health staff. The first phase is beginning this month, with the fourth and final phase set to begin from July to September 2025. Police Commissioner, Andrew Coster, in a statement, sez Police received one mental health callout every seven minutes, taking up half a million hours of Police frontline time per year, of which of these callouts, only 11% are given a priority response. News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Associate Professor in the School of Health at the University of Waikato, Sarah Gordon, about what this phased approach will look like heading forward.

The Police have announced a new phased approach to attending lesser mental health-related callouts, that are not of high risk or are related to crime, with the next phase aimed at handing over these responsibilities to health staff. The first phase is beginning this month, with the fourth and final phase set to begin from July to September 2025. Police Commissioner, Andrew Coster, in a statement, sez Police received one mental health callout every seven minutes, taking up half a million hours of Police frontline time per year, of which of these callouts, only 11% are given a priority response. News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Associate Professor in the School of Health at the University of Waikato, Sarah Gordon, about what this phased approach will look like heading forward.

The parents of students out of school for more than 15 days each year are in line to be prosecuted under new government guidelines, which also includes the removal of teacher-only days. Is this the right move, and what impact will it have on truancy numbers?  To answer that, National's MP for Wairarapa Mike Butterick and Labour's health and Wellington issues spokesperson Ayesha Verrall joined Nick Mills.  Also on the agenda was the government's working from home guidance for public sector staff, and the resignation of Andrew Coster as police commissioner.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What about all the weasel words we've been hearing from the Government about Andrew Coster? Who's stepping down from the job of Police Commissioner to head the Government's new Social Investment Agency.   He's leaving the police force a bit earlier than expected. He was due to stand down in April and, if I was a suspicious person, I'd see this as a win-win for him and the Government. Because, despite all the platitudes coming from the Beehive, the Government is going to be delighted that he's moving on. But, unlike the Government, I'm not going to be so kind.  Coster himself is describing the move as going from the bottom of the cliff in the police force to the top of the cliff running this new government agency, which is all about investing in people and supporting people to try and help them avoid getting into a life of crime in the first place.  And I think “Cuddles Coster” —as some people like to refer to him as— is the perfect person to run this new agency. He's been a lawyer, he was 2IC at the Ministry of Justice for a couple of years, he's been a cop and, since 2020, he's been commissioner.  So he knows how the justice system works. He's seen and understands some of the things that lead people into crime, he's worked for a government minister, and he's felt the heat when things haven't gone right.  So, hands down, he's the best person for the new job.     But, listening to Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, you would think they reckon he's the best person to be Police Commissioner, as well.  Let's start with the Prime Minister. Here's what he said yesterday about Andrew Coster: “He has done a really good job. Since we came to power, we made a really clear set of expectations, and laid that out really clearly. He has done an exceptionally good job.”  The PM got a bit brassed-off when reporters reminded him that his predecessor Simon Bridges had described Andrew Coster once as a “wokester”, but Luxon wasn't having a bar of that.  And then there's Mark Mitchell, who's saying that the only reason he gave Coster a hard time was because the commissioner was working for a wishy-washy government back when Labour was in charge.  But we all know that the reason they're being so uncharacteristically kind about Andrew Coster is that, even though he's leaving the Police, he's still going to be working for them. And you can't bag one of your honchos in public, because, if you did, you might get slapped with some HR legal action. And why would you make anything other than glowing comments about someone who's still going to be working for you.  In this new role Coster will still report to a government minister. Instead of Mark Mitchell it'll be Nicola Willis, who is the Minister for Social Investment. But let me say what the Government isn't saying. When it comes to Andrew Coster's performance as Police Commissioner, I can't let him away with the shambolic way he handled the anti-vax, anti-everything protest at Parliament back in February/March 2022.  That was when we all started to learn about “policing by consent”, which Andrew Coster was big on. Which, in a nutshell, is about the police working in a way that encourages people to co-operate with them - instead of waving the big stick at them.  Andrew Coster's leadership of the police response to the Parliamentary protest two years ago was a shambles. There were all the shallow threats about seizing all the vehicles that were clogging up the streets.  “If you don't move those vehicles, we're going to move them. We mean it. We mean it. Aww…maybe we don't mean it.”   What it meant is that by the time the Police did finally flush out the muppets who reckoned they were there for a genuine protest, the battle was lost.  His policing by consent was in tatters and it was the beginning of the end for Andrew Coster. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster announced this week - he is ending his term early, to take up a new role as the head of the Social Investment Agency at the end of the year. Coster was the face of the previous government's push to ‘police by consent' and copped a huge amount of criticism from National when they were in Opposition. The race is on to replace Coster – so who will National pick, and what will that decision say about their approach to tackling law and order? Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald investigative reporter Jared Savage will share his insight into Coster's tenure, and how the Government might change tack. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Susie NordqvistSound Engineer: Paddy FoxProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been mission creep when it comes to politicians meddling in police operational matters and there needs to be clear boundaries drawn for the next Commisioner, according to the Police Association.The country's top cop Andrew Coster has resigned to take up a new role leading the government's new Social Investment Agency. His term with the police was due to end in April next year, but he's finishing up early. However the president of the Police Association, Chris Cahill told Lisa Owen Commissioner Coster hasn't always been a favourite of front line officers.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 25th of September, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster is done and moving on in November, six months early. So how did he find his time in the job?  What have the results been from Foodstuffs facial recognition trial and will it be brought out all around the country?    And on Politics Wednesday, things get a bit tetchy between Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen when it comes to Coster and how much is achieved in the first year of a new Government.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outgoing Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has accepted there'll be a range of views on whether he's been tough enough on crime.  The top cop, whose been in the role since early 2020, is leaving the role earlier than signalled.  He's stepping down as commissioner in November to lead the new Social Investment Agency.  Coster copped criticism from current Police Minister Mark Mitchell, while he was in opposition.  Andrew Coster told Mike Hosking it seems Police have been more 'in the thick' of politics.  He says they got drawn in to a really law and order focused election.  When it comes to his new job, Coster sees it as the ambulance at the top of the cliff, rather than the bottom.  He told Hosking there's about $70 billion dollars of social services spending per year - something he says he wants to understand to get better results.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The current Police Minister's standing by his criticism of the Police Commissioner while in opposition, and believes things have changed.  Andrew Coster will lead the new Social Investment Agency, exiting the role of Commissioner earlier than anticipated.  During the last Labour Government, National's Mark Mitchell slammed Coster's approach to policing, once suggesting it was like having cups of tea with gang members.  Coster's acknowledged there's a view he was 'soft'.  Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking the Commissioner has to serve the Government of the day.  He says in opposition he didn't agree with the Government's policy direction.  Labour's Ginny Andersen believes he went above and beyond to do everything he could do while in the job.   She said that he did a great job in the role and had some really challenging things to deal with.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Wednesday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) So Many Ways to Fail/I Went for the Sausages/Doing What You're Told/Trump Keeps Trumping/Turning UpSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior Lecturer at the University of Canterbury and sociologist, Jarrod Gilbert joins Emile Donovan to discuss the tenure of Andrew Coster and who might be a good fit as a replacement.

The Prime Minister says Andrew Coster has been an outstanding Police Commissioner - as he takes on a new role Coster has been appointed the head of the Government's Social Investment Agency, stepping down as Commissioner by November. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Andrew Coster faced some pushback when National was in opposition - but Chris Luxon was eager to defend him. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, Andrew Coster has resigned as Police Commissioner and he's got himself a new job. He's going to be running the Government's new Social Investment Agency - and I reckon he's going to be good at this. I acknowledge this might not be a popular appointment, I think a lot of people will see this for what it probably is - which is that it feels an awful lot like a job that's been given to him to get him to leave the police because the Government doesn't want him there. It also reinforces the idea that there's a job merry-go-round in Wellington, which is obviously true. Plus, there'll be questions about why you'd reward somebody for being pretty bad at their previous job, which Coster definitely was. He was a shocker of a Police Commissioner. And all those of those criticisms - many of which are already in my inbox - are completely valid. But setting all that aside, I still think he will be good at this job. This is in his wheelhouse. Andrew Coster never was a crack down on crime guy, he's a cotton wool guy, a believer in people's potential guy, a 'give them another chance' guy. He believes so much in the fence at the top of the cliff that he forgot his job was to actually run the ambulance at the bottom. But this job is fence at the top of the cliff stuff. The point of this agency is to help people before they become criminals and invest in them when they're still babies. That's right up Coster's alley, isn't it? For all of his failings as a Police Commissioner - his inability to be tough on gangs or clear out the Parliamentary protest before it got out of hand - he's actually a very bright and decent guy. I think it was just a case of the wrong job for the wrong guy and I'm happy he's leaving the police. I hope we never have another Commissioner as weak on crime as him, but I think he'll be very good at what he does next - and it is a very important job. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Minister has confidence Police Commissioner Andrew Coster will fit well into his new role. Coster has led the police since 2020, but will move to become the head of the Social Investment Agency in November. Mark Mitchell says the agency will be at the forefront of dealing with inter-generational social issues. He says he looks forward to seeing Coster succeed in the new position. "The Social Investment Agency's got a big role to play and I think that Andy Coster, when you look at his background and experience - he's the perfect fit for the role." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Richard Hills and Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  The Green Party is set to meet to discuss Darleen Tana's fate on October 17th. Why has it taken this long to reach a possible solution? Is this hurting their political numbers? Should Auckland Council follow Wellington's lead and require workers to get back to the office? Heart of the City head Viv Beck is urging people to get out and boost the city's businesses - does Auckland CBD need the help? It's been a day since Philip Polkinghorne was found not guilty of murdering Pauline Hanna - would things have been different if Madison Ashton had turned up to testify? Andrew Coster is set to lead the Government's new Social Investment Agency after he steps down as Police Commissioner- what do we make of this? Is this a good idea?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FIRST WITH YESTERDAY'S NEWS (highlights from Tuesday on Newstalk ZB) Just Because You Failed Before, Doesn't Mean You Can't Do Something Else/WFH Isn't for Everyone/Avoid Wellington at All Costs/Why Time Travel Will Never HappenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On our 500th show we thought we'd share that a few weeks ago we received our first lawyers' letter, not a direct threat of legal action, but a interestingly worded email that suggested we should seek legal advice based on an item we showed as a part of a nightly show. We'll go though what happened, who it was, where it is right now and anything else that may be pertinent Tova O'Brien writes today that there is a hold up with the ferries and that might just be between coalition partners with suggestions that Winston Peters is not on board with what National and ACT want to do which, if correct, seems to imply privatisation is on the table as we know Winston's history with not supporting privatisation. . Police Commissioner Andrew Coster is set to lead the Government's Social Investment Agency. It replaces the Social Wellbeing Agency which was part of the Public Service Commission. ================================== Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

Praise for Christchurch police after wide-scale arrests of Comanchero gang members.  Every patched member of the Christchurch chapter has been arrested as part of Operation Avon, with 21 arrests in total across Auckland and Christchurch.   Millions of dollars of illicit drugs were seized.   Police commissioner Andrew Coster told Mike Hosking they've invested a huge amount to counter the increase in gang crime in the last decade.  He says police will keep focusing on going after their assets, as that's what hurts them the most.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Friday 30th of August, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster speaks after police secured a couple of major wins over the gangs this week.  Winston Peters talks his members bill to disband Auckland Transport - and defends Shane Jones' comments about the judiciary.  Beauden Barrett previews the All Blacks v Springboks test at Ellis Park this weekend.  And Mike gives away $5000 to a worthy winner, thanks to Chemist Warehouse.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A win for Auckland police, who have seized almost $15 million worth of of Head Hunter assets and properties - including the prized Mount Wellington gang pad. Items taken from President Wayne Doyle, under the Criminal Proceeds Act, include properties in New Lynn and Freeman's Bay. Other assets include two bank accounts, a vehicle and $275,000 cash found at a gang address in 2017. Commissioner Andrew Coster says this is the fruit of seven years' work. "And it shows that we will persist until we can recover assets that are obtained through criminal means." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Thursday 22nd of August, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown talks whether the Government would really put a cap on council spending.  Is our police force racist? Police Minister Mark Mitchell doesn't think so and says police only deal with those doing the crime. So, what does the Commissioner Andrew Coster think?  Team NZ boss Grant Dalton gives us a detailed insight into the team and preparations as the 37th America's Cup gets underway tonight.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police say gaps in how they treat people are often explained by things outside of their control.   They commissioned a three-year inquiry which has revealed ongoing inequities in treatment of people based on their race, sexuality, gender, and mental health.   It's offered 40 recommendations.  Police Commissioner Andrew Coster told Mike Hosking it found there's different outcomes for people they deal with, depending on their background.   He says the report also finds many of the gaps are explained by things upstream of Police, like drug, alcohol, and mental health issues.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.    The Olympics: 5/10  Is it just me? I'm not feeling it. It could be the timezone or it could be the medal count, but I am hoping week two supplies a bit more success and a bit more drama.    The Greens: 2/10  Months of procrastination, only to culminate in more procrastination with yet another letter. Imagine if they had to actually make a decision.    The Warriors: 8/10  Yes they won and they are still in the hunt, but selling out your entire season and being the first and only NRL club ever to do so tells you about support, fandom and love.    Andrew Coster: 5/10  Read the room and got the memo.    Māori wards law: 8/10  Simeon Brown is the minister who drove it through. He got it in one. A good day for democracy.    Kamala Harris: 7/10  Since the ascendency she doesn't seem to have done a thing wrong. Money is flowing and the polls are moving.    LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 31st of July, democracy for Māori wards is back and our prettiest city's house prices just topped $2 million on average.  Just what is happening with the triathlon in the Olympics? And will it become a duathlon? Triathlon NZ CEO Pete De Wet with the latest.  Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell discussed Andrew Coster being on his way out and all the layers of health management on Politics Wednesday.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen joined Mike Hosking to dig into the biggest political stories of the week so far.  On the agenda:  Police Commissioner Andrew Coster will be gone by April - not seeking a second term in the role.    And what's happening with the layers of health management?  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Monday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) Take a Deep Breath, Hosk/Coster Maybe Too Decent/Warrirors Mistimed/Olympic Anxiety/Sorry, GuySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of policing is in question as Andrew Coster's tenure as Police Commissioner comes to a close.   Police say Coster's time in the job will end April next year.   Crime Prevention Group President Sunny Kaushal told Heather Du Plessis-Allan he's hoping for a commissioner with a new approach.   He says all crime must be taken seriously and properly investigated - no matter how small.  “Police must attend every burglary. That sends a message that the Police have their back and burglars won't get away with it.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So Andrew Coster has revealed he will not be seeking a second term as Police Commissioner.   Which will upset...almost no one.  I think most of us will be happy to see the back of him.  Because while he does seem like a decent and smart guy, he has been rubbish at the job.  This will be good for Police morale, I think, because they have been quite vocal about the fact that they have been unhappy being led by a man who doesn't seem to actually want to chase down the bad guys quite as much as they do.  And it will be good for public confidence too because I think we would also prefer a Police boss who wants to lock up the perpetrators of this current crime problem we're experiencing.   Now to be fair to Andrew Coster, the fact that he's not seeking a second term isn't really that unusual in Police bosses - we haven't had one go longer than six years since the 1940s.  But the trouble for him is that we all know at least part of the reason he's going is because he isn't wanted.  I mean, that was made abundantly clear when after the election, the new Police Minister wouldn't express confidence in Coster. It was even more obvious when Mark Mitchell published that letter telling Coster how to do his job.  Even if he wanted the job, he would've already been told by now behind closed doors that that ain't happening.  To Coster's credit, he has lifted his game under the new Government, but it's never been convincing. Everything just happens too slow.  I mean, the foot patrols in Auckland are great, but Auckland retailers had to beg for months and hold public meetings to get them.  The crackdown on the boy racers was great, but first, we had to witness officers in Levin retreating from a mob of boy racers.  It just never felt like being discipline daddy was in his nature, even when he tried.  So probably we've just got the best outcome for everyone by Coster and the New Zealand Police Force consciously uncoupling in April next year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Community Beat Teams have been announced - 63 additional police staff will be deployed across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.   It's alongside Operation Safer Streets, which will see an extra 21 officers redeployed in Auckland's CBD from July - to target anti-social behaviour.   Police Commissioner Andrew Coster told Mike Hosking “We've had visibility as a key priority for a long time.”  Coster said recruitment has turned in a positive direction in the last few months.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 5th of June, we took a look at our mental health services in a big five-year report, and the Aussies seemingly stealing our NZDF personnel.  Police Commissioner Andrew Coster wants a change to our alcohol rules. Plus, Mike was curious what bike he drives.  Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell joined for Politics Wednesday, digging into the business meeting and youth crime on the rise.    Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Commissioner says a fifth of the jobs they go to involve alcohol. Internal documents obtained by RNZ say alcohol causes 20 times more social harm than meth. Andrew Coster told Mike Hosking that 'lolly-water' is often the culprit when they are called to harmful events. He says a crackdown on the availability and price of booze would make a difference.   Andrew Coster says family harm and youth offending also sit around alcohol.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster wants tighter alcohol regulation. RNZ has obtained documents under the Official Information Act showing police estimate alcohol harm costs about 7.8 billion dollars a year, compared to $1.8 billion for illegal drugs. Coster says measures should be considered, including only letting bottle stores open in day-time hours and charging more for alcohol. Alcohol Healthwatch executive director Andrew Galloway says these aren't new ideas. "The Government have been presented with these recommendations by both the Law Commission in 2010 and the Ministry of Justice in 2014. So he's not wrong." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police officers are set to spend less time on mental health-related callouts as a new gang crackdown gets under way.  The Police Minister, and Commissioner, have suggested mental health callouts are 'draining' resources.  The pair announced a new specialist gang unit would be set up, confirming some officers would be re-prioritised and some more would be hired.  Police Commissioner Andrew Coster told Andrew Dickens that at the moment they can end up sitting for hours in emergency departments with someone, waiting for support.  He says they'll attend where Police are absolutely required, but they're not going to stay for hours.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 15th of May, Andrew Dickens filled in for Mike Hosking. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster spoke on the new gang taskforce and what they want the unit to achieve.  Charter schools are back and they're a contentious issue, can they be done well? Alwyn Poole has set up a couple and explained how it needs to be done.  Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell sparred over the new gang unit and charter schools on Politics Wednesday.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Commissioner says the new scheme designed to tackle gang crime will set police up for future measures.  The specialised National Gang Unit will have 25 to 30 people, and up to seven ring-fenced officers in every police district. Commissioner Andrew Coster says these units will examine the gang activity happening in various districts to combat harm. "We know we're going to need to move resources around to enable this enforcement to occur - and these gangs will sit at the core of that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public sector agencies have been directed to find cost savings ranging from 6.5-7.5% on average.  Public Service Minister Nicola Willis told a separate hearing about the public service yesterday that organisations like Police are very much not exempt.  She expects Police to put forward options that don't compromise service delivery.  Police Commissioner Andrew Coster told Mike Hosking that it comes alongside successive Governments have been keen to see Police headcount grow.  He says that has the effect of driving all other costs.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Commissioner says demand for police to respond to social harm is displacing their ability to attend other jobs.The briefing to the new minister included proposing going less to family harm callouts, which have risen 80 percent in the past 10 years. Commissioner Andrew Coster says officers would like to be doing more work only police can do. He says a managed withdrawal from harm callouts is the only way to free them up. "The ideal situation here would be that others step up to deal with this demand, because arguably- help should be available in some of these situations." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bolstering the thin blue line will require a substantially fatter budget, according to the police commissioner. The government's promising five hundred new frontline police in the next two years and Police Minister Mark Mitchell is clear he wants more of them on the community beat and the return of a police hub in Auckland's CBD, after the downtown station closed in 20-13. At the same time the government's signalled across the board, belt tightening. The Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says while he shares the Minister's goals, they're are going to cost more money. Andrew Coster speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6345851219112

The police commisioner has been put is on notice, with the government outlining its expectations around law and order. In a letter to Andrew Coster the new police minister Mark Mitchell says the force needs to use its full legal powers to stop gangs taking over public roads, towns and spaces. And to significantly disrupt gang and organised crime in the community. The Minister also expects a back to basics approach with a highly visible presence in the community and a continued strong focus on youth crime. Mark Mitchell signs off his letter of expectation by saying meeting these expectations will require strong and decisive leadership. Police commissioner Andrew Coster speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6342497201112

The Police Commissioner says he's aligned with the new Police Minister on the changes needed for law and order. Minister Mark Mitchell has publicly released a letter, outlining his expectations for Commissioner Andrew Coster. That includes refocusing efforts on strengthening policing in communities, removing gang patches and cracking down on youth crime. Coster says officers essentially need to spend less time doing the business of others. "Which we do substantially in the social arena, particularly family harm where there's no violence, mental health- we need to be able to increase our visibility." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Mitchell says he has confidence in Police Commissioner Andrew Coster and is looking forward to working with him.   The new Police Minister has made public a letter he wrote to Coster outlining his focuses.   Mitchell says he's keen to put Coster's approach under Labour in the past.   He told Mike Hosking that much of what he criticised him for was actually because of who was in Government.   Mitchell says it was Labour's responsibility for policy Mitchell was against, like reducing prison populations and removing three strikes.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'He's the man that's there': Police union boss coy on Coster's suitability -Jamie Lyth, NZ Herald As the new Government makes its expectations for Police clear, the performance of Commissioner Andrew Coster has come into question - with the Police Association describing him as “the man that's there”.  Last night, National's new Police Minister Mark Mitchell publicly released a letter of expectations he had agreed to with Coster.  The letter sets out National's key policies, including those in its first 100 days plan, including gang patch bans and law changes to give police more search powers and stop gang members associating with each other.  Mitchell said earlier today that he has full confidence in Coster, despite his past criticism.  But Police Association President Chris Cahill did not give such an endorsement when asked by Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking whether Coster was still “the man for the job”.  Cahill responded with: “Well he's the man that's there and we've got to move on.”  Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Commissioner of Police Andrew Coster. Photo / Alex Burton  On the letter itself and the expectations from the new minister, Cahill said he expected mostly positive reactions from ground-level staff.  “I think most frontline cops will be on board with the reset in focus.  “I think they'll be very enthusiastic, it's pretty clear now what they want is to get out there and put some pressure on criminals and put some pressure on crime.”  Cahill said the letter showed police were being asked to work less in the prevention area, and more in direct response.  “I think you can't say that Andrew Coster didn't have ideas around the prevention space and long-term changes.  “What he's been told now is that he's got to focus on the here and now, so I think it's pretty clear in that letter of expectation that that's what he's got to focus on.”  Cahill said the ideas in the letter were good in theory but police need more resources to achieve the goals set out.  “The challenge, of course, is who is going to do all of this if we're losing cops to Australia.”  Hosking mentioned that the coalition deal promised 500 more police officers, but Cahill said he wasn't sure what this would look like in reality.  “We'd like to see that word extra, rather than just new.  “We already get 450 new [officers] a year, so that needs to be clarified that it's extra, not just new.”  Cahill said police need government organisations to do their job in the crime prevention area so police can focus on responding to crime.  “I want to see the letter of expectations going to the CEO of Health [NZ], the CEO of Oranga Tamariki because they've got to step in and do their job because it can't just be police.”  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Minister won't say if the Police Commissioner will be keeping his job.  Mark Mitchell has met with Andrew Coster for the first time since taking on the role, after previously being an outspoken critic of Coster in opposition.  Coster says the meeting went well and Mitchell has confidence in him.  But Mitchell told Mike Hosking that he'll be having further meetings with Coster to discuss his future, including another meeting today.  He says Coster has to deliver on the new government's policies and priorities, including an increased presence on the frontline.  Labour's Megan Woods told Hosking that what she's hearing is a whole lot of ice skating around the question of whether Mitchell has confidence in Coster or not.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Commisioner says gunman Matua Reid's victims were likely to have been known to him.  Reid was serving five months home detention for family violence when entered the central Auckland construction site and opened fire killing two and wounding several others.  Police commissioner Andrew Coster spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.