By RNZ
It may be the land of snakes and spiders but lucrative pay and housing packages are luring an unprecedented number of New Zealand police officers across the Tasman.
Figures from the Australian police show 77 officers are leaving to work in Queensland and close to 20 are heading to the Northern Territory - but New Zealand Police said they do not record the reasons officers leave.
The NZ Police Association said those figures were the most it had heard of, and there was a risk the numbers could snowball as many officers were struggling with the cost of living and a pay claim went unsettled.
Association president Chris Cahill said the data was worrying.
"It's certainly unprecedented interest. I've never heard as many people talking about it and the interest in it," Cahill said.
"The reality is we're also ripe for the picking because we've recruited so many people in the last six years, about three thousand officers, and they're the perfect people that the Northern Territories and Queensland want."
Cahill said many officers here struggled to make ends meet on police salaries and some were working two jobs.
"Secondary employment is becoming increasingly what officers are having to turn to.
"[There are] struggles around paying their mortgages, a lot more looking to try and get some mortgage relief because it's become a real problem for them."
The Northern Territory is now home to 17 police officers who, until recently, worked in New Zealand.
Constables there start at just over $100,000 a year, and an officer with 10 years' experience could expect a $118,000 base salary.
There was also $20,000 on offer to help relocate and a housing allowance to cover rent while they were in the force.
Northern Territory superintendent in charge of recruitment Serge Bouma said New Zealand officers' jaws drop when they learn what the package entails.
"The one unique feature of our police force is that we provide rent-free housing, or cost-free housing, to all our sworn constables and that's for the duration of their career."
Bouma visited Auckland last month to conduct interviews with eight more New Zealand officers, as part of a recruitment expo.
"What we're seeing is whilst people love their job, they're struggling to make ends meet, and I think what we offer is a substantial increase in earning potential and it just allows them to breathe a little bit. They get a little clear air in terms of financial pressures."
Queensland offers a similar package; 77 officers had applied for jobs there since the state launched a campaign in August.
A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said they expected that number to increase.
"Our international counterparts already have invaluable experience and skills to bring to frontline policing and we are seeking the very best applicants to keep the Queensland community safe."
Police's pay negotiations are on hold until a new government is in place. Members rejected the first offer of $4000 cash in the hand for the first year and a four percent pay increase for the year after - well under inflation.
According to the New Zealand Police website, an officer in training would receive $56,219 rising to $75,063 in their first year, and $82,773 in their fifth year.
In a statement, National Party police spokesperson Mark Mitchell said he did not want to lose officers to overseas posts.
"An incoming National-led government will be focused on retention and support for our frontline police officers. Obviously pay and conditions are an important part of this," Mitchell said.
"Cost of living and interest rates have hit police officers as hard as anyone else. Police are public and public are police. An incoming National-led government is going to be laser focused on reducing inflation, which will give Kiwis more spending and saving power."
Mitchell said he could not comment on the pay negotiations until the new government was formed.
Cahill said police wanted to be paid overtime, something their counterparts across the Tasman already enjoy.
"They're able to look at Australia and think, 'I'm not only going to earn 20, 30 percent more, but I'm also able to earn that again in overtime'," he said.
"It's a real concern and could be a significant risk. If the first lot that go report back that this is really positive, it could have a snowball effect that could be really detrimental."
New Zealand police said they were aware of recent campaigns by Australian police to target New Zealand police staff, but to date, fewer than 20 had crossed the ditch.
And the NZ Police attrition rate had been declining.
"We acknowledge the professionalism, pride and commitment that our people bring to their duties every day around the country. These are attributes that are sought after by other jurisdictions," a spokesperson said.
"While there may be some staff who are considering a move, many of our people became officers to help their own communities and they are committed to continuing that work here."
They said as an organisation, they had been working hard to make sure NZ Police was a workplace where people felt valued and safe.
There was one thing that could stem the flow to Australia - Bouma said it was wrangling the local wildlife that least appealed to New Zealand police officers.
"Snakes, crocs, spiders - we've got them all.
"I guess that's the one thing that's scary for Kiwis is the fact that we have all these venomous creatures and dangerous creatures.
"But you've just to be aware of your surroundings and police officers generally are good at being aware of their surroundings."
Bouma said he visits Auckland regularly to conduct interviews, and the next training cohort would be filled with New Zealanders.
RNZ
