Keep up to date and subscribe to NZ Police news and insights
Featured and latest news, stories, alerts and more.
Scan the latest Police news and information about your district.
View user-friendly graphics that provide an overview of key Police data.
Updates about local and national traffic issues and crime incidents.
Stories about Police and its people.
Subscribe to receive news, alerts, Ten One Magazine stories, advice of stolen boats, and safety advice by email or RSS feed.
Advice for victims, view FAQs, learn about our services and get safety advice
Get the answers to some of our most common queries.
Get some advice on the safety of yourself, your family, property and visitors to New Zealand.
Information about how Police supports victims of crime, including the Victim Notification Register and access the Victims information website.
Understanding the infringement process, how to pay, lost notice, request safety camera photo, transfer liability and more.
How to report bad driving, legislation, speed limits, road safety cameras and other safety advice.
How to get help for family violence (domestic violence) and learn about Protection Orders and Police Safety Orders.
An overview of our responsibilities and Values, plus links to key publications
Our drive for New Zealand to be the safest country in the world.
We aim to have the trust and confidence of all – to achieve this we operate in accordance with our values.
Find out how Māori and Police work together to help prevent crime, crashes and victimisation in our communities.
Police management and district structure, and Information about some of the many teams and units that make up Police.
View corporate publications, forms, guides and standards, general reports and research as well as crime statistics.
Explore the early history of Police, read the memorials of officers killed by criminal acts, and find out about the exciting Police Museum.
Find out about interesting roles where you can make a difference
All your recruitment questions answered.
Find out about our emergency and non-emergency service roles.
Current vacancies across various Police work groups.
The application process for non-sworn employee positions.
An overview of some of our key work groups.
Our values reflect what is important to us and the communities we serve.
Find out the various ways you can contact NZ Police
105 is the number for Police non-emergencies. 111 is the emergency number for Police, Fire and Ambulance.
Call triple one when you need an emergency response from Police, Fire or Ambulance.
If you have hearing or talking difficulties register for the 111 TXT service.
Search by station name or address.
Tell us what we’ve done well and what we need to improve on.
Other contact points across Police.
Information about how you can help us prevent crime
People featured here are sought by Police for arrest.
Find out if a vehicle has been reported stolen.
Your chance to help solve serious crimes.
Help us find answers to some of the country’s unsolved homicides.
Check to see if a boat is stolen and report sightings.
Tell us what you think.
Home > News > Ten One Magazine > Vadar retires on a high with final catch
The seven-year-old has been formally taken off duties after a series of health issues, including surgery for lumbosacral disease in January.
Four months post-surgery, Vadar has developed a bit of a wobble in his back end and further investigation has led to a diagnosis of Degenerative Myelopathy (DM). DM affects the spinal cord, resulting in slowly progressive hind limb weakness and paralysis. The condition is not painful but unfortunately there is no effective treatment.
Senior Constable Kieran Goodhew has had Vadar since he was two years old. Former handler, Andrew Grylls-Thomas trained and graduated Vadar prior to leaving Police in 2017.
In March that year, Kieran took Vadar on and validated him a month later. Vadar also qualified as an Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) dog at the end of 2017 and has worked with Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Auckland squads.
Kieran recalls a memorable job with Vadar last year in rural Waikeria. Two offenders had pointed a shotgun at a victim before firing it and running off over farmland.
Vadar tracked the offenders for a couple of kilometres before indicating that they’d crossed the river. He was transported across the water by Eagle, then relocated the track and followed it over 5.6 kms through bush and farmland in full AOS kit, to eventually apprehend both offenders. Without his stamina and dedication, they wouldn’t have been found that night.
Kieran says Vadar is reliable, loyal and has a strong bite. He’s bitten through numerous pieces of equipment in his time, but in his downtime, he’s a loveable, social dog.
“He loved his job and loved to catch offenders,” says Kieran.
In 2019, Vadar received a certificate of excellence in his annual certification – a rare achievement based on a dog’s obedience and ability to carry out a number of tasks flawlessly.
He also finished his working career on a high – catching a burglar in the act. So what now for Vadar?
Kieran says Vadar is now in “full pet mode”, eating leftover roast chicken and enjoying many more liberties.
“He loves a school visit and getting pats from kids so no doubt there will be a few more of those to come.”
As for Kieran, he is now training 18-month-old Fynn who he hopes will be fully operational by the end of the year.
NZ Police app now available
Download instructions and FAQs
© Copyright 2022 New Zealand Police