A report into policing in South Auckland says a promised 300 new frontline police may not solve the district's problems long-term.
The report into the Counties-Manukau district was written by a former senior police officer with the aim of making the best use of the new staff.
The district is the busiest policing district in New Zealand and struggles to keep up with demand.
The National Party made an election promise to provide 300 new police. But the report's author, Neville Stokes, says that is only a short-term solution.
Mr Stokes says there needs to be more done to target specific areas of crime and make the district more productive.
The report notes there is no dedicated serious crime unit and says staff are often not rostered on to match times of high demand. It says staff often let their own jobs slip when they are roped in to help out on more serious crimes.
The Police Association supports the report's claims officers are overworked, saying many officers are very frustrated at the situation. Spokesperson Chris Scahill says officers want to do the best job they can on the crimes they are assigned to.
Police Minister Judith Collins says the Counties-Manukau district has been under-resourced for a long time and the report lays the groundwork for how to best use the new officers.
Crime unit to be set up, says police boss
Counties-Manukau's district commander says establishing a serious crime unit to deal with major crime investigations in the district is a priority.
Superintendent Mike Bush says a crime unit will soon be established within the district so staff will not have to be drawn from other areas.
Mr Bush says last year was a particularly busy year for serious crime in the district and number of staff were called in from other regions to help.
He says this disrupts the other regions and the cases they are working on as well.
