About Blue Light Tauranga

Blue Light began in New Zealand in the mid 1980s, when a group of New Zealand police officers were inspired by the initiatives of Blue Light activities in Australia.

Blue Light is a community policing initiative set up to reduce youth crime and build positive police, youth and community partnerships. Traditionally, Blue Light ran discos around the country for teenagers and this is what many people may remember from their youth. Although these still occur, there are a range of other fun and exciting events and activities run by Blue Light Tauranga throughout the Western Bay of Plenty.
Arataki values
Policeman-for-the-day

These days, off duty police officers and community volunteers offer a range of well organised and supervised cultural, sporting, educational and social events and programmes for children aged 6-18 years of age, that are all free from alcohol, drugs and violence.

Blue Light now has branches throughout, New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands and Scotland.

Blue Light Youth Events and Activities

  • Sporting events such as touch tournaments and PCT competitions
  • Holiday programmes
  • Drink driving education programmes and expos
  • Leadership camps
  • Duke of Edinburgh awards
  • Blue Light Bangers in schools
  • Take a Kid to Rugby, in partnership with the BOP Steamers
  • Discos
  • Carters Kids Gone Fishin
  • Father & Son fishing trip
  • Rainbows End Funday
  • Whaka Ama competition
  • Short story, short film and poster competitions
  • Girls’ self development camps

Aims of Blue Light

  1. To encourage better relations between young people, their parents, the police and the community
  2. To prevent crime and anti-social behaviour by exposing young people to different experiences and a healthy socialisation process in a safe, supervised environment
  3. To raise self esteem amongst young people
  4. To contribute to police goals of reduction of crime and crash and safer communities together

Blue Light Objectives

  • Reward young people for positive behaviour
  • Develop good social skills
  • Enhance social responsibility
  • Create trust, motivation and leadership
  • Enhance police and youth relationships
  • Address educational needs relating to youth issues such as drink driving, bullying, graffiti
School Sausage sizzle

Blue Light Tauranga Committee 

Blue Light in the Western Bay of Plenty is governed by the Te Aranui Youth Trust. This is a newly formed trust established to run the Blue Light, DARE and Great Pathways Youth Development programmes. These police youth events and programmes are largely funded through donations, sponsorship and community funding.

The dedicated committee who organise and run the Blue Light youth events consists of Western Bay of Plenty police officers and community members. These committed individuals give up their time to provide low cost or free activities for our youth and community. 

Current Blue Light Tauranga Committee

Chairperson: Sgt Nga Utanga, Officer in Charge Youth Services WBOP

Vice Chair:
Const Leanne Fairbairn, Community Constable Tauranga South

Treasurer:
Const Sarah McKenzie, Police Education officer, Tauranga

Secretary:
Wendy Nicholls, Operations Manager Te Aranui Youth Trust

Committee:

  • Inspector Michael Clement, WBOP Area Commander
  • Const Aaron Fraser, Community Constable Tauranga
  • Snr Const Jenni Wright, Community Constable Tauranga
  • Const Rachel Walker, Community Constable Mt Maunganui
  • Const Tawhai Norman, Community Constable Te Puke
  • Const Steve Campbell, WBOP Project Manager
  • Const Doris Silvester, Police Education Officer Tauranga
 
 
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