This artwork was originally designed by Police Photographer
Constable Duncan Jeffery for use at the Police Christian Support Network conference at Kawerau in 2016.

The theme of the conference was ‘Walking Together’ and embodied the vision of Christian staff walking together with our communities bringing the light and love of Jesus.

Duncan’s design expresses this vision of all persons in New Zealand walking together in love and unity empowered by the Spirit of God.

WHAKATAUĀKĪ: Kotahi te kōhao o te ngira e kuhuna ai te miro mā, te miro pango, te miro whero.  Through the eye of the needle pass the white thread, the black thread, and the red thread.

This whakatauākī was quoted by Kīngi Pōtatau, the first Māori King.  In 1858, a large gathering assembled at Ngāruawāhia for the religious ceremony to proclaiming Pōtatau as King.  The rites were performed by Iwikau Te Heuheu, leader of Tūwharetoa and Wiremu Tamehana Tarapipi, leader of Ngāti Hauā.  During the ceremony, Te Heuheu said:

“Pōtatau, today I anoint you kīngi for the Māori people.  You and Queen Victoria are today united.  Let the religion of Jesus be your mantle to protect you; and may the laws of the land be the mat on which to place your feet forever.”

Pōtatau replied: “There is but one eye of a needle, through which white, black and red cotton are threaded. Hereafter, hold fast to charity, uphold the laws and be firm in the Faith.”  The whakatauākī likely refers to the verse from Ecclesiastes 4:12
‍“…a triple-braided cord is not easily broken”.