From 1st December 2025, Wellington Maritime Police hours will be cut, and overnight responses on the vessel Lady Elizabeth will stop.

The Lady Elizabeth has been a vital frontline vessel for decades, saving countless lives in some of New Zealand’s most challenging maritime conditions. The New Zealand Police are trialling a system over summer where only one officer is on call outside normal rostered hours — far short of the four needed to crew the boat. 

The Cook Strait is one of New Zealand’s most dangerous waterways, with frequent shipping traffic including ferries carrying hundreds of passengers. Wellington Maritime Police are highly trained, respond faster, travel further, and operate in harsher conditions than Coast Guard boats, which rely heavily on volunteers. Cutting their hours puts the public’s lives at serious risk.

Beyond water emergencies, Wellington Maritime Police protect boaties from dangers and crime, investigate stolen boats and drug recoveries, maintain security on cruise ships and warships, and oversee public aquatic events. They conduct search and rescue, recover bodies, respond to medical and mental health emergencies, and support Police National Dive Squad operations — and more. This wide-ranging work demands expert training — it’s not a job for volunteers.

This decision contradicts the Police Minister’s promise of no cuts to frontline staff. Instead of a 24/7 service, the team will be unable to respond between 6pm and 8am on most shifts, including over every weekend over summer — and beyond if the trial becomes permanent. Commercial and public water users could find themselves without the help needed — emergencies and tides certainly don't follow an 8am - 6pm roster. Any savings are likely to be outweighed by the cost of helicopter rescues and support from other agencies, making these cuts both risky and financially questionable.

We call on the New Zealand Government and NZ Police to keep Wellington Maritime Police fully operational 24/7 to protect everyone on the water.

Sign this petition now to help save lives at sea.

Read the article here: https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360871724/wellington-maritime-police-trial-slashing-hours-it-will-cost-lives