Rejoin from overseas
We're encouraging former New Zealand Police constabulary employees to apply to rejoin and come home.
Process
1. Register Interest
Ready to get started? Take the first step.
2. Eligibility Check & Phone Conversation
We’ll pick up the phone and call you. We’ll discuss your preferences and readiness and how we could meet these.
3. Background & Employment Checks
You’ll give us some further information, which we’ll use to conduct our checks.
4. Interview
We’ll have an interview to get a better sense of who you are, what drives you, and how your values fit with New Zealand Police.
5. Medical & Fitness Checks
You’ll then need to pass medical and fitness requirements.
6. Offer
If all requirements have been satisfied, we’ll make an offer for you to rejoin NZ Police.
Accelerated Policing Course
The Accelerated Policing Couse launched in May 2026 at the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC).
What is the Accelerated Policing Course?
The course offers fit-for-purpose training for experienced Australian officers to join New Zealand Police by recognising transferrable skills and applying them to the New Zealand policing environment. Training under the course will take just 10 weeks.
Who is eligible?
Experienced Australian police officers. The Course was designed for officers in Australia wanting to move to New Zealand given the similarities between our two countries.
We are exploring options for other police jurisdictions in the future. Police officers from countries other than Australia can register their interest in updates or apply for the full 20-week recruit training anytime. New recruit wings start training every five weeks at RNPZC.
When will the next Accelerated Policing Course run?
The next Accelerated Policing Course is expected to begin in early 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on how long it’s been since you left Police and your experience since you left, a customised training package will be prepared for you. We will discuss the training requirements as you progress through the process.
Rejoins will normally re-enter NZ Police as Constables or Detectives (if Detective Qualified) and then apply for role at a higher rank if previously qualified to do so. Some people choose to go through the rejoin process and wait to obtain a meritorious position before re-entering the NZ Police.
For example:
- If you resigned as a Sergeant, you can directly re-enter as a PST Constable, then apply for a Sergeant’s position on merit. Alternately you can be approved to rejoin and then apply on merit for a Sergeant’s position.
- If you resigned as a Detective and want to be placed in a Detective’s role you will be placed as a Detective.
Yes. Your length of service prior to leaving will be factored in when calculating your starting remuneration with us.
No, the terms and conditions for NZ Police, including remuneration, are established in the collective agreement for our staff.
In most cases a rejoin will need to be appointed to a position and commenced work for Police prior to the seven-year anniversary of their previous cessation of employment. If you register your interest our dedicated rejoin team will be in touch and you can discuss your personal circumstances and whether you are eligible to rejoin. If you aren’t eligible to follow the rejoin process you are still able to apply to join and prior experience may be taken into account after you have completed training.
Even if you are still based in Australia you can apply to join. Find out more about working for New Zealand Police and how to apply at NewCops.