Wild Water - First woman in Wellington Police Maritime Unit | A Gallery from New Zealand Society | RNZ National

From New Zealand Society 4 June 2014

She’s making history by pushing boundaries in a bloke’s world. She may be petite but she’s a tough cookie and has already earned a reputation as a great cop. She was previously a Police Forensic Photographer, getting up close with the most gruesome crime scenes; now she’s the first female cop to helm the Lady Elizabeth IV with the Wellington Police Maritime Unit. Rescuing boaties, catching poachers and patrolling the wild waters of the Cook Strait are all in a day’s work. Lynda Chanwai-Earle storms the ship with Constable Paula Tanuvasa.

Checking Lady Liz IV from top to bottom

Sergeant Dave Martin and Constable Paula Tanuvasa inside the engine room of Lady Liz IV

Swapping tools

Maintenance is a daily task

Not just a blokes' world anymore

Constable Paula Tanuvasa makes history as the first woman to join the Wellington Maritime Unit

Heading out to sea at the helm of Lady Liz IV

Newbies Constable Kyle Smith and Constable Paula Tanuvasa

Hostile reaction from boaties

Preparing to board hostile craft

Preparing to board hostile craft - Paula with her boss, Senior Sergeant Dave Houston and crew Constable Kyle Smith

No longer hostile - smiles for camera

The tender heads back to Lady Liz IV

Prepping for the simulated helicoptor rescue

Paula is attached to the harness by the paramedic

Simulated helicopter rescue at sea

Hovering just above Lady Liz IV

Simulated Westpac helicopter rescue - Paula is winched up by paramedics

Simulated rescue - Constable Paula Tanuvasa winched up to Westpac helicopter by paramedics

Sergeant Dave Martin gives debrief after simulated helicopter rescue

Loving the job

Paper work back at HQ

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