Commissioner of Police (New Zealand)

The Commissioner of Police is the head of the New Zealand Police and the position is currently held by Andrew Coster. The Commissioner is appointed for a term not exceeding five years by the Governor-General, and reports to the Minister of Police. The position combines two functions, that of chief constable in charge of policing and cases, and chief executive responsible for assets and budgeting. In military terms, the rank is equivalent to Lieutenant General.

History
The Police Force Act 1886 split the police from the earlier body known as the New Zealand Armed Constabulary, which had performed both civil policing functions as well as being the standing army and militia, on 1 September 1886. Sir George Whitmore was appointed as the first commissioner, reporting to the Minister of Defence. Early commissioners came from the United Kingdom with military or law enforcement experience, such as Walter Dinnie, who had served as an Inspector at Scotland Yard.

On 9 March 2020, then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appointed Andrew Coster as the new Commissioner of Police, taking effect on 3 April 2020.

In 2006, the commissioner was the highest paid official on the New Zealand public payroll. By 2019, the commissioner was no longer the highest paid official on the New Zealand public payroll instead being the 5th. The top spot instead being the Guardian of New Zealand Superannuation. In 2020, current Commissioner of Police, Andrew Coster was paid a salary of $700,000.