Nine nights at the Wellington vaccine mandate protest prompted an experienced Taranaki police officer to seek a fresh start.
He loved most of the 32 years, two months and two days that former Stratford Chief Constable Jono Erwood spent on the police force.
But he was already thinking about a career switch when he was asked to help with the… occupation in the grounds of Parliament.
Being between the hatred and the conflict during the 23-day protest in Wellington in February that only set in stone.
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Fry Fastier/Things
Former police officer Jono Erwood says his time at the protest was one of the reasons he left the police force after 32 years on the job. (file photo)
“New Zealanders are better than what I’ve seen and experienced there,” he said.
“In those evenings I had some good conversations with some of the guys about why they were there, showing understanding and empathy, treating them with respect.
“There were people with real reasons for being there, some good people, but there were others who just wanted to make an effort to crack the police.”
Erwood said he felt the Prime Minister’s refusal to allow the protesters occupying Parliament’s premises made matters worse.
“I think Jacinda could have handled the situation better. When I have a problem with someone, I go to them and have a cup of tea. She never gave them a chance, never went to listen alone – but hindsight is a wonderful thing , “he said.
During the protest, Ardern said he focused on: the pandemic was top of her mind and the extremist language radiating of the protest was why the government refused to talk to the protesters.
As the protest progressed, so did every party in parliament signed a joint statement saying they will not talk to the convoy protesters until they stop breaking the law.
GOODS
Protesters and police clash early on Day 23 of the occupation of Parliament.
Erwood has spent his career in small communities, where building strong relationships has been an essential part of the job.
He started out as a young agent for eight years in Stratford before moving with his wife Julie to a remote, solitary post in the Chatham Islands between 1998 and 2001.
“The Chathams are 45 minutes ahead of New Zealand, so I made the first arrest of the millennium,” he said.
Returning to a single charging station in Mōkau in North Taranaki was easy by comparison, until he was arrested in 2006 for drink-driving in his police car after rushing to assist in a fatal traffic accident involving the city’s only oxygen cylinders.
It was his day off and he had played golf with friends and had a few drinks at home.
Under the same circumstances, he would do it again, he said.
He was eventually discharged without conviction and the family returned to Stratford where he worked as a rural liaison before taking on his role working with schools in Central and South Taranaki.
For the past 11 years, he has led anti-bullying, drug education and road safety programs.
“It was a big job and I loved it, loved the kids, loved the teachers.”
Erwood still recommends policing as a great career choice for young people.
“I was happy to be involved in the Canterbury earthquakes and the Wellington protests, and I’m happy to have done my bit for the community.
“I’ve had some great opportunities and enjoyed them the most.”
Immediately after leaving the police force, Erwood had a job as an assistant manager at New World, which he liked, but found the constant physical work was difficult.
The heavy lifting is done with hydraulics in his new role as a tractor salesman at Fieldtorque in Stratford.
Catherine Groenestein/Things/Things
Erwood enjoys learning to drive the Massey Ferguson tractors that he now sells.
His stress levels have dropped and he enjoys learning to drive tractors and operate loaders and other equipment.
“I’m really excited about my new position – it’s been eight days and I just love it,” he said.
“I miss the camaraderie of the police personnel and the interaction with the police, and knowing what’s going on when I hear the siren, but the other side is that I don’t miss that at all.”
Erwood has also served three terms on the Stratford District Council and faces a fourth term in this year’s election.
“Nine years ago I was in favor of keeping rates lower for everyone. That hasn’t changed. That’s a constant for me. We have to be careful with our spending,” he said.
Seeing the new bike park built and the pool in full swing were two highlights of this semester, he said.
“I’m really proud of the bike park. I was the first councilor to support the idea. I’ve had schools there, they love it.”