‘A hidden paradise’: This NZ police ad is better than any tourism commercial

A video by NZ Police, ‘Policing on the West Coast’ has unintentionally become a tourism plug for four tiny towns.

The West Coast Police even warn on their Facebook page: “This is not a Tourism New Zealand ad!”

The tongue-in-cheek video gives us a look into the police stations and communities of Reefton, Westport, Greymouth and Ross.

After watching this endearing video we definitely want to visit New Zealand’s usually-skipped West Coast. And you will too.

‘Policing on the West Coast’ goes to Reefton

Over in Reefton, Senior Constable Mark Watson, Senior Constable Adrian Raine and Constable Justin Newman give us a city guide.

“You might have to look a bit harder than in the big city but there’s always something to do,” says Constable Newman.

During the ‘Policing on the West Coast’ video, the cop trio take us to Reefton’s skate park and The Future Dough Co. It’s been a part of Reefton’s heritage for over 100 years.

The cops also hit up Reefton Distilling Co for some top-shelf spirits.

Constable Raine says when he’s not on the job he likes to head to Slab Hut Creek.

“It’s a great place to camp with the family and do a bit of cheeky gold panning.”

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Westport

‘Policing on the West Coast’ takes us a little closer to the water at Westport.

Constable Sarah Johnston can’t stop raving about all “the cool stuff to do” like biking, fishing and rock climbing.

She loves that kids in Westport can have more independence in the small town than they would have in the city.

“The fact that they can bike and walk everywhere. They can bike to the dairy and buy their packet of lollies or a milkshake,” Constable Johnston says.

That would be the best milkshake in town by the way. Thanks to the ‘Policing on the West Coast’ video we know to find that at The Mill House.

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Greymouth

Constable Damon Subritszky and Constable Cheyanne Taurima welcome us to Greymouth.

What they love most about Greymouth are the awesome landscapes that become their playground after work.

They are seriously magnificent.

We follow the policing pair over Taramkau Road-Rail Bridge.

Constable Damon questions if the bridge was moving but he is glad to report that it is very stable.

‘Policing on the West Coast’ heads to Ross

Our last stop on the ‘Policing on the West Coast’ video is the stunning town of Ross.

Community Constable Jim Marsh completely immersed himself in the community.

He even helped to build the town bike track and was the first to test it out.

Constable Marsh admits he was a bit too enthusiastic when trialling the pump track. He managed to fall off the bike and knock himself out.

A couple of months later his son fell off the same corner. It’s been nicknamed the Marsh corner.

Watch the full video here.

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Lead image © ‘Policing on the West Coast’ New Zealand Police Youtube

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