A former New Zealand police officer says he and his family have thrived in the Northern Territory over the past nine years, where he now works in the police communications centre in Darwin.

Acting Senior Sergeant Jason Thackeray is in Whakatāne for a few days as part of a recruitment drive by Northern Territory Police. Along with his colleagues, Mr Thackeray is visiting a few towns, including Taupō, Wellington and Auckland.

“We’ve really enjoyed living in the Northern Territory since we arrived,” said Mr Thackeray, who made the move to Australia in 2015. “When I joined, there were about seven other Kiwi officers. Now, I know there are at least 60 or 70 New Zealanders in the Northern Territory Police, though there are probably more.”

Mr Thackeray encourages those looking for a change and adventure to consider joining the NT Police Force.

“I loved working for the New Zealand Police – it was a dream of mine from a young age,” he said. “I spent 11 years in the New Zealand Police.

“What I love about the territory is the adventure we have had in the past nine years.”

Mr Thackeray’s wife also found an opportunity with the NT Police as a civilian employee, while their daughter has been offered a job with an airline.

Although the heat is one of the most obvious challenges of living in the Northern Territory, Mr Thackeray said the sheer size and remoteness of the region required some adjustment.

“Here, it’s not unusual to drive 40 or 50 minutes to a city such as Tauranga. In the Northern Territory, when I worked in remote communities like Elliott, a trip to Katherine could take five hours,” he said.

“It takes some getting used to, but it’s all part of the adventure.”

The natural beauty is one of the drawcards – from tropical and wet to dry desert.

Mr Thackeray serves as the acting officer in charge of the Police Communications Centre in Darwin.

Last year, he was an officer in charge of a remote community of about 300 Aboriginal people two hours south of Darwin.

“It was really an exciting adventure because just policing in small communities is neat because your little police family becomes your family, and you make friends with people in the community. There are other government workers there as well, doctors, nurses, council members.”

Superintendent Katie Hatzismalis, who is also involved in the recruitment drive, says they are looking for experienced officers and those new to the police force.

“About 25 people attended our information session, and we’re conducting interviews today, including with those who applied online,” she said.

“New Zealand citizens can work in Australia without a visa, so that means that we can take New Zealand police directly and they can do a shorter training course of 16 weeks.”

Up to $20,000 reimbursement is offered for relocation costs.

“They must serve at either Katherine, Tennant Creek or Alice Springs, so they will train in Darwin and then go to one of those regional locations for two years.

“The crime we deal with is similar to that in other places,” said Ms Hatzismalis.

“Family violence, alcohol and drug-related harms, property crime, and youth crime.

“The main difference in the Northern Territory is the remoteness, which can make things more challenging. But talking to New Zealand police officers, I’ve found that the issues are similar, just in a different environment.”

Ms Hatzismalis said people could apply online as well.