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Story: Police

Police magistrate hearing an accusation of murder

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Police magistrate hearing an accusation of murder

Police Magistrate William Symonds (at left, with walking stick) listens as Ngāti Apakura chief Te Waru accuses his daughter, standing beside him, of murder. This scene took place at Waipā, in Waikato, in 1841.

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Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: B-038-001-A

by Joseph Merrett

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Richard S. Hill, Police – The earliest police forces, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/33840/police-magistrate-hearing-an-accusation-of-murder (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Richard S. Hill, published 8 June 2012.