Community engagement is at the top of the mind for the newly appointed Rotorua Area Commander.

Inspector Herby Ngawhika, Te Arawa, was welcomed into his new position as Rotorua Area Commander with a pōhiri at Rotowhio Marae, Te Puia, on Monday.

He takes over from Superintendent Phil Taikato, who is now working as the Director of Māori and Community Partnerships at Police National Headquarters.

Superintendent Taikato was at the celebration, along with Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha, Assistant Commissioner Richard Chambers, Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson, Bay of Plenty District Police staff, iwi, community leaders, whānau and friends.

Inspector Ngawhika told Monday's gathering in Rotorua that he's looking forward to the opportunities his new role will present to better engage with the Rotorua community.

'Rotorua together safe and thriving is our unique vision for the city,” says Inspector Ngawhika.

'In order to implement this vision we need to better understand the thinking of our communities, so we can address their concerns and deliver on their expectations.”

Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson was in Rotorua for the pōhiri to support and welcome Inspector Ngawhika into the new role.

'Inspector Ngawhika has key networks and relationships right across the community, including his external leadership roles, and he also has the respect of the staff in Rotorua,” says Superintendent Anderson.

'He is a humble leader who prefers to let his actions do the talking. He's the right person to lead Rotorua at this time."

Inspector Ngawhika has been involved in Police for two decades, and most of that time has been spent in Rotorua.

'I feel a sense of responsibility to make sure Rotorua is a safe place to live for all those growing up here and living here,” says Inspector Ngawhika.

'I have a real community approach to Policing and believe humanity should always be front and centre when interacting with people in the Rotorua community.

'I am incredibly humbled to be moving into the role of area commander.

'This is a huge achievement for me and a great acknowledgement for Te Arawa and Iwi Māori.”

Inspector Ngawhika previously held the position of Bay of Plenty Māori Responsiveness Manager and has worked on the front line and in CIB.

Those experiences have seen his focus change from investigating serious crime, to looking at ways of working alongside staff – and the wider community – to create better solutions to prevent it.

'My personal satisfaction comes from working with our people to create better, thriving outcomes.

'I will continue to focus on the people around me. I am here for my staff and I'll be doing what I can to make sure they can do their jobs the best they can.”

Inspector Ngawhika thanked the area commanders that had come before him and acknowledged the amazing work Superintendent Taikato had done leading and working with the Rotorua community.

He also made special mention to Superintendent Warwick Morehu and Deputy Commissioner Wallace Haumaha as two role models who have inspired him throughout his career in Police.