UK police relocate to New Zealand

About 3,000 overseas police showed interest in moving to New Zealand

Almost 100 UK police officers recruited by New Zealand are to begin training there on its laws and police practices.

The 97 recruits begin an 11-week conversion course on Monday at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua, outside Wellington.

They were recruited without advertising last year from a database of about 3,000 overseas police who had expressed an interest in living in New Zealand.

Some 74 UK police made the same move in 2003, with 51 still working there.

The new intake of 84 men and 13 women come from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

There are 56 general officers, 25 criminal investigation staff and 16 traffic specialists.

New Zealand Police Supt Alistair Beckett said: "While they are all experienced police officers, there is still a lot of material they need to learn that's specific to New Zealand Police.

"Collectively they are bringing over 1,000 years of policing experience into New Zealand Police," he added.

The force said it planned further smaller intakes of UK officers later in the year.