5 July 2021
IR-01-21-18573
Mr Mike Hunua
Dear Mr Hunua
Information Request
I refer to your correspondence received on 14 June 2021 in which you requested
information relating to New Zealand Police’s contract with Skoda.
I have considered your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) and
my response to each of your questions can be found below.
What is the New Zealand Police replacing dog units with and is this part of
the Skoda contract?
In response to your first question, New Zealand Police’s Fleet Management
Group is currently working with Police Dog Section staff to review the current
needs and requirements of a police dog vehicle. This is done periodically to
ensure that Police continues to deploy fit-for-purpose dog vehicles that are safe
for both its staff and police dogs.
This project is also involving input from Police’s vehicle supply and fitout partners.
At this time, no decision has been made on what solution or vehicles models
would be used going forward. However, options remain open for Police to utilise
various vehicles brands, including Skoda models, in the future should they be
deemed fit-for-purpose. Most recently, Police has been deploying the Holden
Equinox with a police dog-vehicle fitout to meet its demand.
Will some rural officers still be issued utes under another contract or is Skoda
fulfilling this with their own fleet options for rural officers in need of all-wheel drive
capability?
As you may well be aware, General Motors plans to soon exit the New Zealand
market leaving Police’s current ute solution, the Holden Colorado unsustainable
in our fleet. Police is currently investigating a number of options on what
alternative vehicle solution can be deployed into those environments requiring all
wheel drive (AWD) and/or height capability. The Skoda Kodiaq is one AWD
option and was included in the recent tender and subsequent contract with
Skoda. This has already seen this model deployed into districts. In the current
absence of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and battery electric vehicle
(BEV) utes in the market, Police is continuing to test other models contained
Police National Headquarters
180 Molesworth Street. PO Box 3017, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
Telephone: 04 474 9499. Fax: 04 498 7400. www.police.govt.nz
within the All-of-Government catalogue for their suitability (examples such as
Radio Frequency Interference, performance etc). Also, Police is continuing to
watch with interest as to what PHEV and BEV utilities may soon be available in
the near future within New Zealand.
I trust this information is of use to you. You have the right, under section 28(3) of
the OIA, to ask the Ombudsman to review my decision if you are not satisfied
with the way I have responded to your request.
Yours sincerely
Inspector Brian Yanko Manager, Fleet Management
Fleet Management Group
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