Rock hunt day – Whangaparaoa and

Helensville

On Monday and Wednesday, kids (and adults) were treated to a rock hunt like no other, as Rodney Police held two rock days at Whangaparaoa and Helensville police stations.

Over 500 kids and parents attended the two events and the feedback was amazing from the two communities.

“There are dozens of people walking down the street looking for rocks.”

“We came from Glendowie for this… you guys are way cooler than our police,” were just a few of the comments the Rodney Police received as kids located rocks at their local parks and returned them to the station in return for a prize pack at the two stations.

Kids (and parents) get to then see the inside of the mobile policing unit and an operational police car and ask YCS officers plenty of questions about being a police officer.

Sgt Brett Hanly, the officer in charge of Youth and Community Rodney said, “The day is a great day for us to connect with local kids in the community and given the last two years of uncertainty, it’s great to see the kids and their parents back at the station taking part in the rock hunt.”

The events are a regular event during the school holidays and is the brainchild of Whangaparaoa Frontline Station Support Officer, Charlotte Jones, who not only hand paints all the rocks with a police/safety theme, but also organises the days.

This organising includes everything from bagging the prize packs to hiding the rocks just a few hours before the ‘reveal’ is done on Police social media.

“Without Charlotte the rock days certainly wouldn’t happen and we are all grateful for the massive effort she makes to make the day such a huge success - not only for the Police, but also the local community.

“Rock Hunt days have become a highlight for a lot of families during the school holidays,” Brett says.

This time around the Helensville station had its first rock hunt day, which had Senior Constable Mel Haven and Lou Unkovich hiding the rocks in the local community and then witnessing the kids coming in to Helensville station, as they exchanged the rocks for prize packs.

And to quote one of the local Helensville residents, all in all a stellar day for us all,” and from another happy parent, “Thank you Melissa, we’re home now and the tamariki are still buzzing from the day”.

“Finding the last rock in the library was amazing.

“The photo is a major topic of conversation at the moment; they all want to be in the Police force. Nga mihi Glendith Samson.”

Sergeant Brett Hanly O/C WhangaparaoaYouth & Community - Waitemata North