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Andrew David Coster (born 1975 or 1976) is a New Zealand senior public servant and former police officer. Currently the Secretary for Social Investment and chief executive of the Social Investment Agency, he served as Commissioner of Police from 3 April 2020 to 10 November 2024.

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Coster was born in 1975 or 1976 in Dunedin, and grew up in Auckland,[2] attending King's College.[3] His father is Professor Gregor Coster, the former Dean of the Wellington Faculty of Health.[1][4]

Coster holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Auckland and a Master of Public Management from Victoria University of Wellington.[5]

Career

[edit]

Coster joined the New Zealand Police in 1997. While serving, Coster studied law at the University of Auckland,[6] and briefly left the Police to work for Meredith Connell as a Crown prosecutor.[2] He returned to the Police in 2005 in a supervisory position and went on to serve as Auckland City Area Commander, from 2009 to 2013, and Southern District Commander, from 2013 to 2015. At the time, he was the youngest district commander ever appointed.[7]

After attaining the Wellington-based position of assistant commissioner for strategy and transformation in 2015, Coster was seconded to the Ministry of Justice in 2016 where he was a deputy chief executive leading a court reform project.[7] Returning to the Police in 2018, Coster was an acting deputy commissioner, during which time he was involved with weapons reforms following the March 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings.[2]

Police Commissioner

[edit]

Coster was appointed as the Commissioner of the New Zealand Police on 9 March 2020.[8] Another candidate as Commissioner was Mike Clement, the then-Deputy Commissioner. He started his term on 3 April 2020 at age 44, becoming the youngest person to assume the role.[9]

In mid-February 2021, Coster's efforts to combat gang and gun violence was criticised by the National Party's Justice spokesperson Simon Bridges, who described Coster as a "wokester commissioner" in a Twitter post.[10] On 25 February, Coster defended the Police's "policing by consent" policies in response to criticism by Bridges during a Justice select committee hearing at the New Zealand Parliament.[11]

During the 2022 Wellington protest, Coster unsuccessfully attempted to convince anti-vaccine mandate protesters to voluntarily remove their illegally parked vehicles from the area around the New Zealand Parliament in mid February 2022.[12] After protesters refused to vacate the Parliament grounds, he ruled out pursuing enforcement action against protesters due to concerns about violence. Coster instead announced that Police would pursue a policy of "negotiation and de-escalation."[13] Coster's decision to rule out "enforcement action" was criticised by the National Party's police spokesman Mark Mitchell, who claimed that Coster had lost credibility as Police Commissioner.[14] On 2 March, Police evicted the remaining anti-mandate protesters following a violent riot.[15][16]

In its review of the policing of the protest, the Independent Police Conduct Authority found that, despite a range of recommendations for change, Police did a good job and served the public of New Zealand well in dealing with a difficult and complex set of events.[17]

Following the formation of a National-led coalition government after the 2023 New Zealand general election, Police Minister Mitchell met with Coster in early December 2023 to set out expectations on police and combating gangs. Coster agreed to the Minister's expectations.[18]

In July 2024, Coster announced he would step down as commissioner at the end of his term, which was scheduled for April 2025.[19] That September, it was announced Coster would leave the role sooner to start his next position as chief executive of the government's new Social Investment Agency in November 2024.[20] Acting Public Service Commissioner Heather Baggot stated she was "very pleased" to appoint Coster to his new role, and that "[Coster] is a highly respected and impressive public service leader who has considerable experience delivering initiatives to address complex social issues".[21] In contrast, President of the Police Association of New Zealand, Chris Cahill, took a different view commenting that Coster's resignation was "probably a good call" and that he "hasn't been everyones favourite commissioner".[22]

At the time of the announcement, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon dismissed National’s previous criticisms, saying that he believed Coster had been an “outstanding” Police Commissioner.[23] “Since we came to power, we made a really clear set of expectations, as we did with a number of [chief executives], and laid that out really clearly. He has done an exceptionally good job.”

Coster completed his term as commissioner on 10 November, and was succeeded in the role in an interim capacity by the deputy commissioner Tania Kura the following day.[24]

Secretary for Social Investment and Chief Executive, Social Investment Agency

[edit]

On 11 November 2024, Coster began his new role as Secretary for Social Investment and Chief Executive of the Social Investment Agency. The agency was established to lead the government's social investment strategy, which aims to improve outcomes for vulnerable New Zealanders through evidence-based policy and targeted funding. Coster oversees the implementation of a $190 million Social Investment Fund, designed to support at least 20 initiatives over four years, with a focus on early intervention and long-term impact. His appointment was welcomed by the Public Service Commission, which cited his track record in addressing complex social issues and his pragmatic leadership style.[25][26]

Ranks and postings

[edit]
  • 1996–1997: Police Recruit, Constable
  • 1997–2003: Various different frontline and investigative roles within Counties Manukau and Auckland Metro area
  • 2005–2006: Response Manager/Section Supervisor, Counties Manukau West
  • 2006–2008: District Deployment Manager, Counties Manukau
  • 2009–2013: Area Commander, Auckland City Central
  • 2011–2013: Armed Offenders Squad Commander, Auckland
  • 2013–2015: District Commander, Southern Police District
  • 2015–2016: Assistant Commissioner, Strategy and Transformation
  • 2018: Deputy Commissioner, Resource Management (acting)
  • 2018–2020: Deputy Commissioner, Strategy and Partnerships (acting)
  • 2020–2024: Commissioner of Police[27]
  • 2024–now: Secretary for Social Investment and Chief Executive, Social Investment Agency[25]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Andrew Coster

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Andrew Coster is a New Zealand senior public servant and former police officer who served as the 31st Commissioner of Police from 3 April 2020 until his resignation effective 11 November 2024. With a career in the New Zealand Police spanning over 24 years since graduating from Police College in 1997, Coster advanced through various operational and leadership roles before his appointment as commissioner amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In that capacity, he oversaw policing responses to public health measures, the 2022 Parliament occupation protests, and initiatives aimed at addressing retail crime and youth offending through diversion and prevention strategies rather than solely enforcement. His tenure drew criticism from political opponents for perceived leniency toward protesters and a focus on social factors in crime causation, contributing to reported declines in public trust in police, particularly among men, straight individuals, and Pākehā. Coster resigned to assume the role of Secretary for Social Investment and Chief Executive of the Social Investment Agency, a position emphasizing data-driven approaches to social policy. He holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from the University of Auckland and a Master of Public Management from Victoria University of Wellington.

Early life and education

Upbringing and family background

Andrew Coster was born in , , in 1975 or 1976, to parents of English descent whose family had settled in the country since the late . His father worked as a and later became dean of the faculty of health at , while his mother was a nurse. Raised in after his early years in , Coster grew up in a privileged and affluent household that provided a stable, professional environment. He attended , a prestigious independent boys' school in Auckland, where he was involved in activities consistent with such elite educational settings. This background contrasted with the socioeconomic challenges he later encountered in policing, shaping his perspective on without direct familial ties to .

Academic qualifications and early influences

Coster was educated at , a leading independent boys' school in , where he was a member of the Major house from 1989 to 1993. Raised in an affluent household with an academic father—Gregor Coster, a professor of who later served as Dean of the Faculty of Health at —Coster's early environment emphasized education and policy, though he pursued a path toward and policing rather than . While serving as a constable after joining the in 1997, Coster studied law part-time and earned a (Honours) from the . He briefly left policing to practice as a before returning to operational roles. Later, to support his leadership aspirations within the police, Coster completed a Master of Public Management at . These qualifications, pursued alongside frontline duties, reflected his early commitment to combining practical experience with formal expertise in law and .

Police career prior to Commissioner

Entry into policing and initial roles

Coster entered the as a recruit in 1996, at the age of 20. He underwent training at the Royal New Zealand Police College in , graduating in April 1997 with top marks in his wing. Upon graduation, he was appointed as a and assigned to frontline duties in Mangere, , within the Counties Manukau district, where he handled tasks in the initial weeks of his service. From 1997 to 2003, Coster held various frontline and investigative positions across Counties Manukau and the Metro area, including roles in the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB). In the CIB, he gained experience in serious crime investigations, notably attending a murder trial in 1998 that sparked his pursuit of legal studies while continuing police duties. These early roles provided foundational operational exposure in high-crime urban environments, emphasizing both patrol response and detective work.

Promotions and operational experience

Coster joined the in 1996 at age 20, graduating from the Police College the following year with top marks in his wing. His early operational experience involved frontline duties in , , exposing him to community challenges such as family violence and socioeconomic disadvantage. Advancing through investigations, he served in the Criminal Investigation Branch while pursuing legal studies, earning a with honours from the . In 2004–2005, Coster temporarily left policing to work as a in , gaining courtroom experience before rejoining the force. Subsequent promotions included inspector roles in , where he commanded the Armed Offenders Squad and, as area commander, led operational initiatives targeting alcohol-related harm in the . He also participated in undercover operations and specialist task forces, building expertise in high-risk policing. Elevated to superintendent, Coster became district commander for the Southern District encompassing Otago and Southland—the country's largest by area but smallest by population—overseeing regional operations including rural and urban enforcement. In September 2015, he was appointed assistant commissioner at Police National Headquarters, focusing on strategic oversight, and acted as deputy commissioner from July 2018. Between 2016 and 2018, he was seconded to the Ministry of Justice to contribute to court system modernization, blending operational policing with policy reform.

Senior executive positions

In 2013, Andrew Coster was appointed District Commander for the Southern Police District, a senior operational leadership role responsible for managing policing across and surrounding areas, including responses to major events such as the ongoing impacts of the 2011 earthquakes. By 2015, he transitioned to Police National Headquarters as Assistant Commissioner for Strategy and Transformation, where he coordinated the organization's largest upgrade project, aimed at modernizing systems for operational efficiency and data management. Coster was temporarily seconded to the as a , contributing to policy development in justice sector reforms during this period. Between and 2020, he held two acting positions: first in Strategy and Partnerships, focusing on national and external collaborations, and later in , overseeing budgeting, personnel allocation, and organizational resources.

Tenure as Police Commissioner (2020–2024)

Appointment and early priorities

Andrew Coster was appointed Commissioner of Police for a five-year term commencing on 3 April 2020, succeeding Mike Bush whose term concluded on 2 April 2020. The appointment was announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on 9 March 2020, following recommendations from the State Services Commissioner. Coster, previously serving as Deputy Commissioner, was selected from internal candidates noted for his operational experience and leadership in policing. Coster's tenure began during New Zealand's first lockdown, which commenced on 25 March 2020, necessitating immediate focus on enforcement alongside traditional policing duties. On his first day in office, he outlined high-level priorities centered on core policing: enforcing the law, prevention, response to incidents, investigations, and providing public reassurance. Subsequent early initiatives emphasized enhancing police through and , delivering high-quality service, and preventing via partnerships with communities and other agencies. These priorities aligned with broader police objectives, including strengthening relationships with communities and reducing reoffending through justice sector collaboration. Coster's approach sought to balance enforcement with preventive measures amid heightened demands from the pandemic.

Key policies and operational initiatives

Upon his appointment as Commissioner in April 2020, Coster identified three overarching priorities: enhancing through improved recruitment, training, and ; delivering high-quality frontline services; and preventing via partnerships with communities and agencies. These aligned with a broader emphasis on core policing functions, including , proactive prevention, rapid response, and thorough investigations. A central policy thrust involved embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles into operations to strengthen ties with communities, where Police data showed disproportionate involvement in victimisation and offending. This included initiatives to reduce reoffending rates—reported at around 80% for some cohorts—and foster collaboration across the justice sector to address root causes like family violence and , rather than relying solely on incarceration. Coster advocated a "smart on crime" framework, prioritizing evidence-based interventions over punitive measures alone, such as diverting low-level offenders to . In gang policy, Coster pursued a holistic strategy acknowledging the estimated 8,000-10,000 members in , focusing on disrupting among at-risk while building community partnerships to mitigate underlying drivers like and disconnection. This approach contrasted with stricter enforcement models, incorporating engagement to prevent escalation, though it drew criticism for perceived softness amid rising gang-related incidents, which Police statistics pegged at over 1,000 serious crimes annually by 2023. To combat internal biases, particularly toward and Pasifika—who comprised about 50% of use-of-force complaints despite being 25% of the population—Coster commissioned independent research in 2020 following global scrutiny of policing post-George Floyd, aiming to reform training for cultural competency and . This led to operational shifts, including enhanced oversight of high-risk interactions and workplace culture surveys showing incremental improvements in staff trust and inclusivity from 2020 to 2023. Operationally, the September 2021 Tactical Response Model upgraded frontline capabilities with specialized teams, tasers for 4,000 officers by mid-2022, and streamlined decision-making protocols, funded by a NZ$105 million government allocation to reduce officer injuries, which averaged 1,200 annually pre-reform. These measures supported broader prevention efforts, such as community visibility patrols that increased by 20% in high-crime areas during his tenure.

Handling of major events and crises

During the , Coster oversaw police enforcement of nationwide lockdowns, including Alert Level 4 restrictions starting in March 2020 and again in August 2021 amid the Delta variant outbreak. Police reported strong public compliance, with minimal prosecutions needed, though Coster faced criticism for supporting community-led checkpoints to monitor movement, which some viewed as overreach. In November 2021, he endorsed a government mandate requiring all police staff to be vaccinated against , emphasizing operational readiness. Practical measures included directing officers to shave beards for better mask fit during frontline duties. Coster's handling of the 2022 Wellington Parliament occupation, a 23-day anti-vaccine mandate from February 7 to March 2, prioritized and before resorting to force. After failed attempts to persuade protesters to leave voluntarily, police moved to clear the site on March 2, resulting in violence, fires, three officer injuries, 36 arrests, and 15 vehicles towed. An Independent Police Conduct Authority review in 2023 deemed the justified but identified shortcomings in intelligence gathering, equipment preparedness, and officer safety planning. Coster defended the response, stating he would not alter decisions and saw no basis for an apology, while praising officers' restraint amid calls for his . In the aftermath of , which struck on February 13, 2023, causing widespread flooding and at least 11 deaths, Coster directed large-scale welfare checks on over 6,500 initially uncontactable individuals, successfully reaching about 4,000 within days through visits and partnerships. Police provided ongoing support in affected regions like the Eastern District, despite many officers being personally impacted, and noted a sharp rise in family harm reports—up dramatically in flood-hit areas—attributed to post-disaster stressors. Delays in reporting threats to roadworkers by armed individuals in led to internal reviews, but Coster highlighted the force's resilience in maintaining operations.

Resignation and transition

Andrew Coster announced his resignation as on September 23, 2024, five months before the scheduled end of his term on April 2, 2025. He cited the opportunity to lead the newly established Social Investment Agency as the primary reason, stating that the move aligned with his interest in addressing social issues underlying crime. Coster had indicated in July 2024 that he would not seek reappointment, confirming his departure at the contract's expiration, though the early exit facilitated his immediate transition to the public service role commencing November 11, 2024. The resignation prompted a structured handover process within the . Deputy Commissioner Tania Kura was appointed interim effective November 2024, serving until a permanent successor is named by the State Services Commissioner. This interim arrangement ensured continuity amid ongoing operational demands, with Police Minister Mark Mitchell overseeing the recruitment for the full-term replacement. Coster's departure was described by him as amicable, with no reported conflicts with the incoming National-led government despite prior policy tensions.

Post-Commissioner roles

Leadership of the Social Investment Agency

Andrew Coster was appointed Secretary for Social Investment and Chief Executive of the Social Investment Agency (SIA) on September 24, 2024, by Acting Public Service Commissioner Heather Baggott, following his early from the role of . He formally commenced the position in November 2024, bringing his experience in data-informed from policing to oversee the agency's mandate of using evidence-based social investment to address long-term societal challenges. The SIA, established to promote preventive interventions over reactive spending, emphasizes actuarial modeling and to target high-risk individuals and families, aiming to reduce future fiscal liabilities in areas like welfare, , and justice. Under Coster's leadership, the agency has prioritized integrating data across government silos to inform , with a focus on "disruptive" reforms to social sector funding that challenge traditional siloed approaches. In Budget 2025, announced in May, the government allocated $190 million to a new Social Investment Fund managed by the SIA, intended to support initiatives improving outcomes for vulnerable , families, and communities through targeted, evidence-backed investments rather than broad programmatic spending. Coster has described the approach as non-profit driven, emphasizing long-term societal returns over financial gain, and drawing parallels to his prior police role in managing complex, outcome-oriented systems. Coster's tenure has involved advocating for rigorous data utilization to identify at-risk cohorts early, such as children in high-deprivation environments prone to future criminality or , aligning with the agency's foundational principle of actuarial social investment pioneered under earlier administrations. He has publicly stressed the need for cultural shifts within to embrace predictive modeling, warning against reverting to "business as usual" without empirical justification for expenditures. As of mid-2025, the SIA under Coster continues to refine tools for cross-agency , though implementation faces hurdles from regulations and institutional resistance to quantified risk assessments.

Controversies and public criticisms

Perceptions of leniency toward crime

Critics, particularly from opposition politicians, accused Andrew Coster of fostering a lenient approach to during his tenure as , arguing that his emphasis on addressing root causes and police bias undermined enforcement efforts. In February 2021, National Party MP labeled Coster a "wokester," implying an overly progressive focus on social factors over traditional policing rigor, amid debates on rising gang activity and youth offending. Such perceptions were fueled by visible spikes in specific crimes, including a surge in ram raids—retail burglaries involving vehicles—which reached over 1,000 incidents in 2022-2023, with only 37% resulting in police enforcement action according to internal data. Coster rejected assertions of police softness as "completely wrong" in response to these criticisms, asserting that operational showed sustained arrests and prosecutions, though he acknowledged numbers had increased due to returning remand prisoners forming new groups post-COVID lockdowns. He advocated for being "smart on ," balancing accountability measures like targeted operations against prolific offenders with upstream interventions to prevent entry into , arguing that punishment alone fails to reduce without addressing underlying drivers such as family and educational failure. Public perceptions surveys during his tenure indicated high overall trust in police (69% in 2022-2023), but high-profile cases of and eroded confidence in handling serious offending, contributing to narratives of leniency. Despite these views, empirical data from the Crime and Victims Survey showed overall victimization rates remaining largely static or declining slightly through 2021, challenging claims that Coster's policies directly caused a wave, though critics contended that reduced charging rates for offenders—down alongside reported offending—reflected prosecutorial restraint. In reflecting on his leadership upon resigning in September , Coster accepted a "range of views" on whether police had been tough enough, emphasizing a nuanced strategy over punitive escalation, which some law-and-order advocates saw as prioritizing equity over public safety.

Focus on police bias and cultural reforms

During his tenure, Andrew Coster prioritized addressing perceived systemic biases within the , particularly those disproportionately affecting communities, through the commissioning of the Understanding Policing Delivery (UPD) programme in 2020. This initiative, prompted by global events such as the killing of and local scrutiny including the and Abuse in Care inquiries, examined biases in policing practices like stops, , and prosecutions to enhance fairness and public trust. Coster described the project as a "fundamental contribution to the future approach of policing," emphasizing evidence-based system changes over individual fault. The UPD programme's Phase One, released on 21 August 2024, produced seven reports analyzing officer conduct and its impact on community legitimacy, confirming disparities such as Māori individuals being 11% more likely to face prosecution than New Zealand Europeans and seven times more likely to experience police violence according to related 2020 Tactical Options data. An independent panel issued 40 recommendations, including enhancements to training, operational procedures, and service delivery, with some implementations underway such as reviews of TASER use and youth photographing practices. In March 2021, Coster publicly framed the effort as an investigation into unconscious bias against Māori, stating that "all humans have unconscious bias and we’re no exception," while cautioning against equating it directly with racism to encourage objective dialogue among officers. Coster's approach extended to operational reforms, such as terminating the Armed Response Teams trial in —prior to his full tenure but aligned with his priorities—after data revealed 50% of arrests involved individuals, highlighting potential inequities. He advocated focusing "upstream" factors contributing to criminalization rather than solely downstream enforcement, integrating these into broader cultural shifts toward community-oriented policing. However, this emphasis drew internal resistance, with some officers viewing "unconscious bias" training as a or for deeper structural issues, and external pushback from figures like Police Minister Mark Mitchell, who rejected claims of in 2024. Coster's deliberate avoidance of the term "racism" to prevent alienating staff underscored his strategy for fostering buy-in, though critics argued it softened accountability. These reforms aimed to rebuild trust by embedding equity in police culture, with Coster linking bias mitigation to overall legitimacy and effectiveness, as poor outcomes for Māori undermined operational goals. Phase Two of UPD, anticipated to yield further recommendations later in 2024, continued this focus on learning-driven changes rather than punitive measures. While data evidenced disparities, interpretations varied, with Coster attributing them partly to systemic factors but acknowledging the need for rigorous, non-ideological analysis to avoid unsubstantiated assumptions of prejudice over behavioral or environmental drivers.

Political and media backlash

During his tenure, Andrew Coster faced significant criticism from opposition politicians, particularly from the National Party, who accused him of adopting a lenient approach to under the Labour government. National leader publicly labeled Coster a "wokester" in 2022, implying an overemphasis on progressive reforms at the expense of traditional priorities. This sentiment was echoed by Police Minister Mark Mitchell, who, upon taking office in 2023, expressed no regrets over prior criticisms of Coster's , arguing that policing had become too focused on and rather than . Coster himself acknowledged in a September 2024 interview that a perception persisted of him being "soft on " during Labour's term, though he maintained his strategies addressed root causes like family violence and youth offending. The handling of the 2022 Parliament occupation protest drew particular political ire, with critics including National MPs faulting Coster for delaying forceful intervention, dubbing him "Cuddles Coster" for a perceived reluctance to use force as a "last resort." Mitchell later highlighted this as emblematic of broader issues, stating in that Coster's approach had contributed to rising crime rates, which National pledged to reverse through tougher measures like reinstating Ten 7 program. Tensions escalated in early over disagreements on in policing, with Mitchell rejecting Coster's assertions of unconscious prejudice against as overstated, prioritizing instead operational readiness and recruitment. Media outlets, especially conservative-leaning commentators, amplified these critiques, portraying Coster's focus on cultural reforms and bias training as diverting resources from frontline policing amid a spike in . Outlets like the NZ Herald and Stuff reported on public and officer frustration, with some labeling his in 2024 as timely for enabling a shift toward "cracking down on " under the new . Taxpayers' Union spokesperson Jordan Williams criticized Coster's post-resignation comments on social investment as detached from reality, accusing him of lacking self-awareness in defending his record. In response, Coster argued in exit interviews that media narratives often misunderstood the complexities of drivers, insisting his "balanced approach" aligned with evidence-based policing rather than political expediency. Despite this, the backlash contributed to his early departure, with Police Association president noting in 2024 that Coster's exit followed a "very turbulent time" marked by polarized expectations.

Reception and impact

Achievements in policing reform

Coster prioritized operational reforms to enhance officer safety and tactical effectiveness, most notably through the nationwide rollout of the Tactical Response Model (TRM) in March 2023. Following trials in Northland, Counties Manukau, , and Central Districts, the TRM integrates enhanced training, equipment access, intelligence sharing, and deployment protocols to minimize risks during high-threat incidents while maintaining unarmed frontline policing as the default. An independent evaluation of the trial phase reported a reduction in assaults and injuries to police staff, alongside fewer incidents necessitating force, demonstrating improved safety outcomes without alienating communities. In firearms regulation, Coster oversaw the enforcement and expansion of post-2019 reforms, including the June 24, 2023, launch of the national Firearms Registry. This digital system mandates real-time tracking of firearms and licenses, aiming to deny access to prohibited individuals and gangs by providing police with a comprehensive ownership database. The registry built on earlier measures like the semi-automatic weapons ban, with Coster emphasizing its role in disrupting illegal gun flows amid rising gang-related violence. Coster also established targeted units for persistent crime patterns, such as the November 2021 Retail Crime Unit dedicated to repeat offenders, which coordinated with retailers to analyze data and prioritize prosecutions, addressing a surge in shop thefts reported by industry groups. Complementing these, he advanced preventive strategies through community partnerships, setting priorities in August 2020 for human capital development, service quality, and upstream interventions to reduce via collaborations with and social agencies. In June 2020, he discontinued Armed Response Teams, redirecting resources to intelligence-led responses and reinforcing evidence-based over routine arming.

Criticisms from law-and-order perspectives

Critics from law-and-order advocates, including members of the National Party, contended that Andrew Coster's leadership as prioritized cultural reforms and "policing by consent" over rigorous enforcement, contributing to public perceptions of leniency amid rising certain criminal activities. In February 2021, National MP Simon Bridges publicly labeled Coster a "wokester," accusing him of insufficiently confronting growth—estimated at an increase of 1,000 members in the prior year—and favoring over arrests for -related offenses. Bridges argued this approach failed to deter escalating convoys and violence, with police data showing gang membership rising from approximately 6,000 in 2017 to over 7,000 by 2020. During Coster's tenure from April 2020 to October 2024, victim surveys documented sharp increases in specific , including vehicle thefts (up significantly per data) and youth-led robberies and burglaries, which continued an upward trend into 2023. Ram raids, often linked to youth and activity, surged post-COVID, with only 37% resulting in enforcement action despite public outcry over retail victimization. National's then-Police spokesperson Mark Mitchell echoed these concerns, criticizing Coster's emphasis on crime "drivers" like social factors over immediate crackdowns, which they linked to a 32% victimization rate in 2023 surveys equating to about 1.88 million incidents. Specific operational decisions drew further rebuke: in 2021, police under Coster monitored unauthorized iwi road checkpoints during the COVID-19 Delta outbreak rather than enforcing dispersal, prioritizing dialogue over intervention. Similarly, at the 2022 Parliament occupation protest, initial threats to tow vehicles went unenforced until after consultations with Labour government ministers on February 9, 2022, delaying clearance and allowing escalation. Coster's initiation of a racial review in policing, prompted by U.S. events like the incident, was decried as a distraction from frontline priorities, diverting resources toward internal equity audits amid static or rising crime metrics. Commentators, including Heather du Plessis-Allan, argued his 2024 —months before his term's April 2025 end—signaled a necessary pivot to tougher measures under the National-led coalition, unencumbered by prior constraints on gang visibility and enforcement.

Assessments from within the police and government

Police Minister Mark Mitchell issued an unprecedented "letter of expectation" to Coster on December 7, 2023, directing a shift toward prioritizing public safety, victims' needs, and consequences for offenders, in response to perceived emphasis on rehabilitation under the previous administration. Mitchell, who had previously criticized Coster's approach as overly lenient during his time in opposition, stated he had no regrets about those comments following Coster's announcement on September 23, 2024. Despite the directive, Mitchell later expressed confidence in Coster's alignment with the new priorities after discussions. The Police Association, representing rank-and-file officers, viewed Coster's early resignation as "not surprising" after a "very turbulent time" for frontline personnel. Association president Chris Cahill acknowledged Coster's "long and valued career" in July 2024 but, in his final speech as president on October 14, 2025, criticized the leniency toward offenders during Coster's tenure, claiming it contributed to operational challenges. These sentiments reflect concerns among officers about morale and enforcement priorities under Coster's leadership focused on cultural reforms and bias reduction.

References

  1. https://anzsebpconference.com.au/speaker/andrew-coster
  2. https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/assets/DirectoryFile/Appointment-Secretary-for-Social-Investment-and-Chief-Executive-Social-Investment-Agency.pdf
  3. https://australasianroadsafetyconference.com.au/speakers/andrew-coster/
  4. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/127801879/nzs-top-cop-who-is-andrew-coster-the-man-struggling-to-deal-with-the-parliament-protests
  5. https://www.reddit.com/r/newzealand/comments/1crdw5r/watch_live_police_commissioner_andrew_coster/
  6. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/christopher-luxon-dismisses-previous-national-criticisms-of-andrew-coster-after-social-investment-agency-appointment/C53EZRPDV5HS7AWNQYEITCCTUY/
  7. https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350474810/trust-in-police-falls-most-among-men-straight-people-and-p-keh
  8. https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/news/secretary-for-social-investment-appointed
  9. https://e-tangata.co.nz/korero/police-commissioner-andrew-coster-our-goal-is-to-be-smart-on-crime/
  10. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300003371/national-portrait-andrew-coster--top-cop
  11. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/inside-the-mind-of-the-new-police-commissioner-andrew-coster/3EPS5ZAXUGAP5YFRVLTIRW6YM4/
  12. https://kcoca.co.nz/ocd.aspx?action=check_bulletin&code=&mess_no=259_1668818121&bulletin_name=news&category=
  13. https://people.wgtn.ac.nz/gregor.coster
  14. https://www.lawsociety.org.nz/news/newsroom/recent-movements/former-lawyer-appointed-police-commissioner/
  15. https://www.sia.govt.nz/about/our-people
  16. https://www.police.govt.nz/news/ten-one-magazine/people-police-commissioner-andrew-coster
  17. https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-commissioner-police-appointed
  18. https://www.sia.govt.nz/news/secretary-for-social-investment-appointed
  19. https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/assets/DirectoryFile/Appointment-Commissioner-of-New-Zealand-Police.pdf
  20. https://northandsouth.co.nz/2024/11/29/top-cop/
  21. https://www.police.govt.nz/commissioner-police
  22. https://indiannewslink.co.nz/andy-coster-sets-three-key-priorities-for-new-zealand-police/
  23. https://www.police.govt.nz/about-us/structure/commissioner-and-executive
  24. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/125402784/a-new-generation-of-policing-andrew-coster-on-navigating-change-and-a-holistic-approach-to-gangs
  25. https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/09/02/police-minister-and-commissioner-at-odds-over-systemic-bias/
  26. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/526321/report-reveals-why-half-of-complaints-about-police-use-of-force-come-from-maori
  27. https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/new-survey-results-will-help-work-strengthen-polices-culture
  28. https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/improving-safety-and-capability-frontline-police
  29. https://www.facebook.com/NZPolice/posts/police-commissioner-andrew-coster-has-today-confirmed-further-details-around-the/836427638665138/
  30. https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/police-pleased-compliance-under-alert-level-4
  31. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-police-commissioner-andrew-coster-under-fire-for-condoning-community-checkpoints/FONRMJUNKTW7JEZVH2MX3X2YIA/
  32. https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/commissioner-welcomes-vaccination-order-police
  33. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-police-to-shave-beards-to-help-in-fight-against-virus/PVGBZH5ISVJOM4WPLZ4YF5PABA/
  34. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/127827768/parliament-protest-using-force-the-last-resort-nz-police-commissioner-says
  35. https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/03/01/growing-concerning-behaviour-led-to-protest-operation-coster/
  36. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/parliament-protest-ipca-finds-police-tactics-justified-intelligence-response-and-safety-left-wanting/RVLHIPMAGVD3BCENLWNPUUNTU4/
  37. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/488359/no-need-for-police-to-apologise-for-over-parliament-protest-conduct-commissioner-andrew-coster
  38. https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/cyclone-gabrielle-police-continue-extra-support
  39. https://www.facebook.com/NewshubNZ/videos/1913877305629120/
  40. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/explained-why-police-didnt-tell-pm-chris-hipkins-that-roadworkers-were-threatened-with-guns/SDAMR4MBCBC3FNUZSIIT2WRNUI/
  41. https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350427023/police-commissioner-andrew-coster-quits-new-role
  42. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/528852/police-commissioner-andrew-coster-resigns-to-head-new-social-investment-agency
  43. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/523241/police-commissioner-andrew-coster-confirms-he-s-leaving-at-end-of-contract
  44. https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/police-commissioner-andrew-coster-s-new-job-revealed-as-head-of-social-investment-agency/
  45. https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/10/29/interim-police-commissioner-announced-with-coster-soon-to-step-down/
  46. https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360467343/tania-kura-appointed-interim-police-commissioner
  47. https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2409/S00076/secretary-for-social-investment-appointed.htm
  48. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/socialinvestmentagency_today-we-formally-welcomed-andrew-coster-activity-7261596631605653504-kfew
  49. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/disruptive-change-andy-costers-new-role-in-reshaping-social-sector-funding/WP5UME5UUVCFXNOKNAWHLIPSBE/
  50. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/socialinvestmentagency_sia-chief-executive-andrew-coster-talks-about-activity-7328687323322241025-pMvZ
  51. https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/05/18/profit-not-a-motive-behind-social-investment-approach-coster/
  52. https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360619376/andrew-coster-top-cop-face-social-investment
  53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co0V1Ftz19c
  54. https://theconversation.com/despite-claims-nzs-policing-is-too-woke-crime-rates-are-largely-static-and-even-declining-156103
  55. https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/survey-shows-high-trust-police-high-profile-cases-impacting-public-perceptions-about
  56. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/437228/claims-of-police-softness-completely-wrong-commissioner-says
  57. https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/police-release-results-public-perceptions-about-crime-and-police
  58. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/what-is-soft-on-crime-and-how-do-labour-and-nationals-political-claims-stack-up-the-herald-takes-a-look-at-the-data/OE2Y4M5WQNC33BV7D3QFHA6YVY/
  59. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/211-the-mike-hosking-breakfast-24837692/episode/andrew-coster-outgoing-police-commissioner-on-219902489/
  60. https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/10/20/outgoing-police-commissioner-says-he-was-misunderstood-at-times/
  61. https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/world-leading-research-systemic-bias-points-way-policing-community-media-advisory
  62. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/andrew-coster-the-commissioner-who-tried-to-tackle-racial-bias-from-within-the-police/4VWPQPPHLNCNRKU3ONP6WKHYBA/
  63. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/438469/police-launch-investigation-into-unconscious-bias-against-maori
  64. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/no-regrets-for-police-minister-mark-mitchell-over-past-criticism-of-police-commissioner-andrew-coster/I45445E7J5GBPJZIQMKMX47S5E/
  65. https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350428407/police-commissioner-coster-was-called-wokester-he-says-he-was-serving-government
  66. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/outgoing-police-commissioner-andrew-coster-speaks-out-on-being-dragged-into-political-debate-minister-mark-mitchell-has-no-regrets/T72NR7TJMJEP7CQ4CJUN3A2Q3A/
  67. https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/09/02/police-minister-and-commissioner-at-odds-over-systemic-bias
  68. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics-and-policing-andrew-costers-exit-means-cops-can-crakcdown-on-crime-heather-du-plessis-allan/U4STRRIW2BBDFKQQVRBHL4DT2Q/
  69. https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2409/S00763/andrew-coster-has-lost-the-plot.htm
  70. https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/350426999/coster-resignation-not-surprising-says-police-assn
  71. https://www.police.govt.nz/about-us/publication/tactical-response-model-evaluation-report-shows-positive-impact
  72. https://policinginsight.com/feature/innovation/nz-polices-tactical-response-model-improves-frontline-safety-without-alienating-the-public/
  73. https://www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz/news-and-publications/news-and-announcements/firearms-registry-stop-criminals-and-gangs-getting
  74. https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/police-announce-new-unit-focus-repeat-retail-offending
  75. https://www.facebook.com/NZPolice/videos/armed-response-teams-will-not-continue/586943762241648/
  76. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300239000/bridges-v-coster-top-cop-in-fiery-spat-with-national-mp-over-gang-numbers-and-policing-by-consent
  77. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/national-mp-simon-bridges-continues-attack-on-wokester-police-commissioner-andy-coster/QRO7W2FEOT2HF7G6DMCUBXJOPI/
  78. https://www.1news.co.nz/2021/02/24/do-police-still-arrest-criminals-in-new-zealand-simon-bridges-and-top-cop-andrew-coster-clash-over-increased-gang-activity/
  79. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/520681/car-thefts-online-fraud-sharply-on-the-rise-ministry-of-justice-survey
  80. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/more-convictions-more-likelihood-of-jail-time-spike-in-youth-robbery-what-the-latest-crime-statistics-show/AMTHEO2DEBDM5N5QXRGDTXPG3M/
  81. https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/06/27/more-kiwis-feeling-unsafe-because-of-crime-survey/
  82. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mark-mitchell-v-andrew-coster-can-the-underfire-police-commissioner-work-with-his-harshest-critic/6GFDDS3ACJFCVEXYSZUFRUZCCA/
  83. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/andrew-costers-time-in-top-police-job-tainted-by-soft-on-crime-narrative-the-front-page/CHMAG3NOVBCRPLEWUZ254OLBDY/
  84. https://www.themandarin.com.au/236147-nz-government-puts-police-commissioner-on-notice/
  85. https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350345669/police-commissioner-andrew-coster-confirms-hes-leaving-police-end-contract
  86. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/outgoing-police-union-boss-chris-cahill-delivers-grave-mental-health-warning-in-final-speech/3QDEAGBDVJA2DBPI66EYP6FAQU/
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