More than 50 child protection complaints and adult sexual assault cases have been re-opened amid concerns about a senior officer.
By Sam Sherwood of RNZ
The re-investigations follow a "rapid review" of 1000 files that were under the oversight of the officer while working in different locations over a three-year period from May 2023.
The officer is now subject to an employment process, with police describing the revelations "extremely concerning".
In a statement sent to RNZ, Assistant Commissioner District Support Tusha Penny said concerns were raised in May 2026 about the management of one historic case.
"That initial case sparked a further review where another 13 cases were identified as requiring re-investigation.
"All these cases have been reassigned, and all victims have been contacted."
Police also carried out a rapid review of about 1000 files which were "under the oversight" of the senior officer, with a further 40 cases identified for re-investigation.
Penny said the operation had pulled together a team of specialist child protection and adult sexual assault investigators to work on the re-opened cases.
"An internal assurance audit of all districts and service centres confirmed for Police that there were not wider systemic issues.
"We have engaged external support agencies to offer support to the complainants in these cases."
Penny said police take its commitment to victims seriously and as part of this process, would be working to further strengthen their processes.
"We are working with Oranga Tamariki, IPCA and other agencies, as we progress this matter.
"While this issue is extremely concerning for Police, it does not reflect the dedication and work of officers across the country who work every day to prevent, respond and resolve crime with victims at the centre of everything they do."
Police had self-referred the matter to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
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