Grant “Gerks” Gerken was presented with his Police Association Life Member pin at the 2024 annual conference last month.

“If someone were to ask me what I would hold the dearest, whether it’s a Queen’s Service Medal or life membership of the Police Association, it’s this. It’s such an incredible honour,” he said during the presentation.

The well-known shoe fashionista said he was honoured to now be bonded forever to the organisation he cared so deeply about and was so proud to be part of.

“That I will now in perpetuity be linked to it is such an awesome feeling,” Gerks said.

The Southern District prosecution manager, who is based in Invercargill and has been in Police since 1991, joined Te Aka Hāpai in 1993. The now senior sergeant has been a stalwart of the association locally, regionally and nationally since 2004 including as Southland chair, conference delegate, Region 7 director and national vice-president.

President Chris Cahill honoured Gerks for his exceptional contribution, highlighting his leadership, resilience and positive attitude, especially through two major health challenges. 

“I don't think we even read the nomination at the board. We just said, ‘Well, if it gets that crazy guy with the shoes back, let's vote for him’. He is always friendly, happy and looking at the glass half full. And he brought that to the association in spades.” - Association president Chris Cahill during the presentation of Life Membership to Grant “Gerks” Gerken

A glowing reference from Invercargill lawyer Bill Dawkins underscored Grant’s professionalism, almost relentless commitment and dedication, Chris said, “and Bill’s not one that’s known for his fairy dust, shall we say”.

Chris said he fully endorsed everything Bill said. When Gerks’ life membership nomination came forward from Southern, “it was a bit of a no-brainer [to approve it]”, Chris said.

“I don't think we even read the nomination at the board. We just said, ‘Well, if it gets that crazy guy with the shoes back [after stepping down in 2023 to focus on his Police career], let's vote for him’.

“He is always friendly, happy and looking at the glass half full. And he brought that to the association in spades.”

Gerks expressed deep gratitude, reflecting on his cancer battles and the support from the association that inspired his continued service.

His first brush with cancer was in 1993. He was a young, fit constable stationed in Porirua when he found out he had stage four lymphoma cancer and was expected to live for only three months. He said the support and compassion he received “was a catalyst for my involvement in the association and for my welfare-based approach”.

Then, in 2015, he was told the cancer for which he had been successfully treated 22 years earlier was back as well as follicular cancer, an incurable form of lymphoma.

While undergoing treatment alongside a 10-year-old boy with incurable cancer, Gerks set up the Chemo Crazies Charitable Trust to support and inspire children with cancer. It was still a huge part of his life, he said.

In 2021, he worked with the Police Association Welfare team to create a support network for members affected by cancer, including the supply of resources.

Gerks also spoke about a treasured taonga carved and gifted to him by association welfare and engagement manager Craig “Ticks” Tickelpenny. It featured everything significant in his life: the Chemo Crazies, being in Police, and his family.

“But the one that meant the most to me was this little, round Kiwi pin, a little part that was the New Zealand Police Association. Ticks put that on for me, and I hold this item very dearly.” Now, he is part of association royalty and has a second pin to prove it.