Motions — New Zealand Police—Death of Constable Matthew Hunt

I seek leave to move a motion without notice relating to the tragic death of Constable Matthew Hunt.

💬 SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being taken? There appears to be none.

I move, That this House express its sorrow at the death of serving police officer Constable Matthew Hunt of Waitematā Police, who died after sustaining fatal gunshot wounds in Massey on Friday, that it express its sympathies to his fellow officer who was wounded during the same incident; and it acknowledge the commitment and professionalism of his colleagues and the investigation team, who responded quickly to apprehend the alleged offenders.

The plaques on the walls around this Chamber tell a story of sacrifice. They tell a story of those who lost their lives in service of this country—28-year-old Constable Matthew Dennis Hunt was also killed serving New Zealand. As Waitematā District Commander Naila Hassan said at the weekend, “there is no higher price.” It is a debt that we can never repay.

On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, we acknowledge the grief of Matt’s family. We offer our wholehearted sympathies to them, including those family members who have travelled recently to New Zealand, and we grieve for Matt alongside the wider police family. Many of his colleagues from Waitematā district attended a karakia and haka on Sunday at the site where he lost his life. Their strong showing of support speaks to how much Matthew was loved and respected. Along with the outpouring of grief across Tāmaki Makaurau and throughout Aotearoa, police have received messages of support from the global police family as well. After all, to lose a police officer is to lose someone working for all of us, but it’s also a family member, someone’s loved one, and a friend.

I want to thank those who were first on the scene, who tried to help, including the health professionals who worked to treat the officers and also the bystander who was injured. Matt’s death has moved people the length of this country. It touched the members of the Blues rugby team who honoured him with black armbands on Saturday—a team he had supported only recently at Eden Park.

I’m told Matt loved sport and that it was no coincidence his OE took place in London in time for the Rugby World Cup five years ago. His OE was part of a bigger plan to get some life experience, suggested to him by a police officer when he first expressed an interest in joining the police. When he finally applied, the person who did his recruitment interview noted that he was “a mature and skilled professional with a developed sense of resilience, excellent problem solving skills, and the ability to perform under pressure.”

He had the ideal qualities of a police officer—not just a police officer; someone who understood and served his community. Matt’s previous experience was as a case manager for the Department of Corrections. He helped with the day-to-day operation of our court system as a registry support officer. His former colleagues at Corrections spoke of his star quality, and that as well as being smart, he had a good way with people. They got the impression he was born to work in the justice sector. His role as a case manager meant he worked alongside people to manage their rehabilitation and reintegration back into the community. It’s no surprise his BA major was in criminology and conflict resolution. His boss at Corrections promised to keep a desk warm for him if he didn’t enjoy his police career.

When he was accepted into recruit wing 312 at the Royal New Zealand Police College in late 2017, he went through his training with Tā Mark Solomon as his wing patron. Tā Mark recalls that when he first met the 60 aspiring new recruits, he was immediately struck by the passion they had for their new career. Matt did, indeed, have a star quality—a star that was taken too soon. To quote “For the Fallen”:

To the innermost heart of their own land they are known

As the stars are known to the Night;

Haere atu rā , Matt.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Firstly, can I acknowledge the Prime Minister for her comments. Thank you. Can I also acknowledge our leader for allowing me to take the call today. Matthew Hunt was not a stranger to me, and he is from my own home town of Ōrewa.

On Friday, 19 June 2020, at 10.30 a.m., Constable Matthew Dennis Hunt and his partner were shot in the line of duty. Matthew didn’t survive his injuries. He was a loving, protective son of Diane and trusted big brother of Eleanor—a tight family unit of three. I have been given the honour to share some of Diane’s words with you here today, supported by Matt’s father, Graeme, and his uncle and his auntie, Robert and Wendy.

The first thing Diane wants to do is thank the New Zealand Police family, who have provided absolutely amazing support with their wraparound care and love of all the family since Friday. These are Diane’s words: “My son has a huge team behind him. Everyone who knew Matthew knew him to be a selfless man of huge integrity. He loved serving the community. He loved serving his community and protecting his fellow New Zealanders. My heart is crying out that this was so unnecessary and tragic. He graduated with a degree in criminology from AUT, and before joining the police, Matthew worked as a case manager for Corrections and was proud of his role in helping prisoners to reintegrate with society. He was also a great paperboy. My beautiful boy—28 years young—will never have another birthday. Matthew was raised on the Hibiscus Coast. He was a Coastie. He had all the traits of a classic Coastie: laid-back and calm, community-focused, and always with a beaming smile.”

Kate Shevland, his principal from Ōrewa College—or “OC”, as we know it—shared some memories of Matt that were put together by Matt’s mates and staff members who taught him. I’d like to share some of those with you. Outdoor education: “Matt was an absolute legend. He was part of the first ever level 3 outdoor education programme at Ōrewa College and planned trips such as a snow camp to Mount Ruapehu and a surf camp to Tāwharanui. He was in the first ever Survivor Ōrewa, a hotly contested part of the programme. The outdoor education units he helped to plan are still part of the course 10 years later. He was liked by all his peers, warm natured, and gave everything a go—an amazing student.”

His English teacher: “Matt was an undercover academic. He would be up there with his mates playing practical jokes on everyone, teachers included, and would then invariably meet his deadlines, with high-level work, and surprise us all.”

💬 Sports: “Matt and his friends were a tight group and competed for many different sports while at OC together, all in the name of fun. Playing squash for two years, they proved they weren’t the greatest squash players, but they had fun doing it. Matt also played golf, bowls, and softball. In 2009, he was part of our first team to attend the secondary school softball nationals in Tauranga. In softball speak, boy did he have an arm. We needed him in the outfield, because he could throw a ball so fast and accurately from fielding it in the outskirts of the outfield that it would go straight into the infield, no need for a cut-off. On one play, he threw the ball from the back of centre outfield straight to the catcher at the home plate to get an outstanding out. We remember his beaming smile yet casual, humble manner, while everyone else in the team went nuts at how fast and smooth the throw was. He was an excellent role model for younger players, keen to learn and humble in his achievements. He was always the first to offer help to the coaches, managers, the scorers and our team umpire, and the first to thank us all for coaching and feeding them. As a founding team member, he was part of setting the goal for the following year to take out the Nationals title, which we did. Canadian softball visitors who played for HBC Softball Club said of Matt, “He was one of the boys that made us feel so loved and welcome here during our stay. One of the kindest, most caring guys we’ve ever met.”

He was looked up to as a kind, caring person who had a good outlook on life and a lot to give. We already miss him.

I want to acknowledge District Commander Naila Hassan, who has shown strength and compassion in the days following Matt’s death. I’d also like to acknowledge Matt’s police family in Ōrewa: Area Commander Mark Fergus and his entire team. Mark, and Matthew’s supervisors, had this to say about him, “Matt is remembered by his supervisors as a highly intelligent and professional officer, one who is diligent and committed to keeping safe the community that he grew up in. He had a promising career ahead of him and intended to take on the challenge of becoming a detective in our criminal investigation branch. He was expected to excel in that role. He was rated very highly by his supervisors and was held in the highest trust and integrity.”

On Friday evening, I had the privilege of joining Matt’s section, friends, and colleagues who came together to support one another and talk through the tragedy that had unfolded earlier that day. The stories and memories of Matt had a common theme: he was a deeply kind young man, and no one could recount a time when Matt had a bad word for anyone. He was known for his calm and considerate approach to his policing. He had developed the art of de-escalating tense or potentially violent situations. One story was an incident he had attended where he was confronted by an offender armed with a knife. Although he would have been completely justified in using other tactical options, he used a calm, clear, direct communication to completely de-escalate the situation and have the offender put the knife down. He is much loved by his police family, and our community.

Matt, you aren’t here to put your strong arms around your Mum, or your sister, but know that your police family and community are putting our strong arms around them for you. When I was a young constable in 1991, a song from The Hollies was used in a police video highlighting the importance of police and community working together to make our community safer. The words from this song are still as relevant today as they were 28 years ago, when Matt was just a baby. The words to the song go like this:

The road is long

With many a winding turn

That leads us to who knows where

Who knows where

But I’m strong

Strong enough to carry him

He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother

So on we go

His welfare is of my concern

No burden is he to bear

We’ll get there

For I know

He would not encumber me

He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother

If I’m laden at all

I’m laden with sadness

That everyone’s heart

Isn’t filled with the gladness

Of love for one another

It’s a long, long road

From which there is no return

The load doesn’t weigh me down at all

He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother

He’s my brother

He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

On behalf of the New Zealand First Party, we extend our sympathies to the family and friends of Constable Matthew Hunt, as well as the wider police community. An appalling tragedy, Constable Hunt’s death demonstrates the risk that police officers face every day. We’re also reminded of the 32 New Zealand police officers who fell before him. That is a sobering glimpse into the dangers that our law officers face whilst maintaining the safety of all New Zealanders.

Being a police officer is not an easy job. Many officers are exposed to violence and disorder on a daily basis, allowing the general public to carry out their lives with levels of security unthinkable in other countries. We are all indebted to officers like Constable Hunt for their service to New Zealand in the most dangerous of circumstances. Constable Hunt paid the ultimate price for the cowardly actions of a criminal, one who we hope to see incarcerated for the longest period of time for which the law allows.

Constable Hunt represented the best that the New Zealand police force has to offer. He was a consummate professional who served his country with distinction and honour. Mr Speaker and colleagues, police lives matter. May he rest in peace.

On behalf of Marama Davidson and the Green Party, I want to begin by expressing my condolences to the family of Constable Matthew Hunt. I’d also like to send our thoughts and our well wishes to his friends, his colleagues, and his fellow officers all over the country, who, I know, are feeling his loss deeply.

For Constable Hunt, Friday would have begun like any other day. Like most of us, he would have got up, had breakfast, maybe checked the news or caught up with messages from friends and family, and then set off for a day at work doing what he had always wanted to do. But unlike those of us here, Constable Hunt knew that from the moment he got to work, he could be called upon at any moment to put his life in harm’s way for the safety of somebody else.

When our police officers answer a call, they never do it alone. Their family and their friends answer the call too, for they share in the risk that their loved ones take every day to keep New Zealand safe for all of us. The call that Constable Hunt answered on Friday would, I’m sure, have sounded a lot like other calls that he and his colleagues had answered many times before. But what happened is a heartbreaking reminder that whatever the call, the life of a police officer, a loved one, a friend, a colleague can be taken away at any moment—a moment in which Constable Hunt’s friends and family can go from looking forward to catching up with him at the weekend or maybe grabbing a beer after work to being told that he was gone.

Now, I know that there will many people across New Zealand who will struggle to come to terms with what happened. People will ask themselves, “How could this have happened? What do we need to do to prevent another tragedy?” And that is entirely understandable. Police officers have a right to go home to their families just like everybody else.

Few of us here will ever match the sacrifice Constable Hunt has made, but we can match his commitment to making New Zealand a better place, which is why I’d like to close with a message for Constable Hunt’s mother, Diane, and his sister, Eleanor. The thoughts of New Zealand are with you. We thank you for the service of your son and your brother.

E tama, haere atu rā. Haere ki te pō, kia moe ai. Tēnā koutou katoa.

[Young man, go. Go to the long night, to sleep.]

Motion agreed to.