National to set up Auckland Transport police team if re-elected
The New Zealand National Party has pledged to establish a dedicated police team for Auckland's transport network if re-elected. The policy aims to increase safety and deter anti-social behavior as the city expands its public transport capacity.
Why it matters
This proposal reflects ongoing political debates regarding public safety, infrastructure investment, and the effectiveness of government policing promises.
The National Party will set up a dedicated Auckland Transport police team if re-elected.
The policy announcement coincides with the opening of the City Rail Link (CRL) on Sunday morning , which is expected to increase peak commuter capacity through the city centre by around 50 percent.
National would recruit 50 new officers for the team and police would received $7 million per year from Budget 2027.
Police spokesperson Mark Mitchell said the team would boost the visible police presence in trains, buses, ferries, stations and transport hubs.
"Police should be where people are. As more Aucklanders use public transport, it makes sense to have more police on the network.
"A visible police presence helps deter offending before it occurs, reassures passengers and transport staff, and ensures rapid intervention when something does go wrong," he said.
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