June Berry: the first policewoman to be appointed to Rotorua

June Ann Berry joined the New Zealand Police Force on 1st August, 1955. She was one of four women on the six-week training course which was held in Lyttleton. After her training she was posted to Christchurch where she served till September, 1956. This was followed by some years in Palmerston North. On 1st September, 1964 June came to Rotorua, making her the first policewoman in the Bay of Plenty.

Her early years in Rotorua involved what would now be called Youth Aid, working with young offenders. June also accompanied female offenders during interviews (a role previously filled by policemen's wives), to court, and escorted them to prison. In 1970, June was appointed bodyguard to Princess Anne, while she was visiting Rotorua.

Outside of the force, June had many pursuits. She was a charter member of Zonta when that club formed in 1973, becoming the president in 1978. She played golf and was part of the Arawa Women's Bowling Club. She was also apparently a very good baker. In her obituary, Jill Nicholas of the Daily Post told how June, with much secrecy, created her wedding cake.

In May 1980, a photo of June and two young policewomen appeared in the Daily Post, along with an interview, celebrating her approaching 25 years in the Police Force. By this time, June was working as a full-time plain clothes officer, following up on serious accidents and other incidents. In 1983, June was once again a bodyguard when Princess Siu'ilikutapu of Tonga visited Rotorua.

In 1985 June became the Police's first woman District Arms Officer. By 1986 the New Zealand Police Force had been in existence for 100 years.  An ecumenical service was held at St Michael's Catholic Church to commemorate. Flags from around the world were paraded into the church to show the diversity of past and present police members. June was one of those flag-bearers. On the 3rd February, 1988 June retired. At that point she was the longest-serving female police officer in the country.

In 1993 New Zealand celebrated the Women's Suffrage Centennial. Enid Brinkler compiled a book as part of the celebrations entitled Women to remember: Rotorua and District.  June Berry was one of the women featured and in November, 1993, that information was published in the Daily Post.

Jinty Rorke released her book Policing two peoples: a history of the police in the Bay of Plenty, in December, 1993. The launch of the book was combined with the Police retired officers Christmas luncheon. In an article in the Daily Post, 2nd December 1993, p 2, June Berry reminisced about prisoners having to escape from the cells due to flooding!

In 1996, June Berry was one of the recipients of the Rotorua Community Awards, presented by Mayor Grahame Hall to acknowledge the contribution people had made to the city.

In 1999 June organised a successful reunion of those who'd served part of their policing careers in what is now The Pig and Whistle.

June Berry died on 12th March, 2000. Death notices from family, police and staff of Joe's Diner all appeared in the Daily Post. Her obituary featured in the Daily Post on 20th March 2000, p 2.

This post was written by Trish, 2019, July 6.

References 

Rorke, Jinty (1993). Policing two peoples: a history of the police in the Bay of Plenty.   J. Rorke and New Zealand Police.

Women's Suffrage Centennial Committee (1993). Women to remember Rotorua and Districts. The Committee.

Daily Post. (1980, May 17). Nearing 25 years with N.Z. police. Daily Post.

Daily Post. (1993, Nov 13). Women to remember: June Ann Berry - policewoman. Daily Post.

Daily Post. (1996, Dec 14). Service recognised. Daily Post.

Nicholas, Jill. (2000, Mar 20). Trailblazer of many talents dies. Daily Post.