A new policeman is on the beat in Haast. Constable Paul Gurney (pictured), who has previously been stationed at Whataroa, Franz Josef Glacier, Greymouth and latterly the Chatham Islands during his 14-year career, started at the remote outpost last week.
He replaces long-term Haast constable Rob Manera.
At Haast, Const Gurney's closest back-up will be 150km away at Franz Josef Glacier.
Apart from dealing with road crashes and search and rescues and keeping an eye on the 1000 whitebaiters expected on South Westland rivers each year, he said he would be patrolling local roads and taking a hard line on drink-driving: ''There will be no warnings ... no second chances.''
- By Janna Sherman of the Hokitika Guardian
