Her early years in Rotorua involved what would now be called Youth Aid, working with young offenders, plus accompanying female offenders during interviews (a role previously filled by policemen's wives), to court, and escorting them to prison. In 1970, she was appointed bodyguard to Princess Anne, while she was visiting Rotorua.
Outside of the force, June had many pursuits. She was a charter member of Zonta when that club formed in 1973, becoming the president in 1978. She played golf and was part of the Arawa Women's Bowling Club. She was also apparently a very good baker. In her obituary, Jill Nicholas of the Daily Post told how June, with much secrecy, created her wedding cake.
In May 1980, a photo of June and two young policewoman appeared in the Daily Post, along with an interview, celebrating her approaching 25 years in the Police Force. By this time, June was working as a full-time plainclothes officer, following up on serious accidents and other incidents. In 1983, June was once again a bodyguard when Princess Siu'ilikutapu of Tonga visited Rotorua.
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| Daily Post 17 May 1980, p 4 |
In 1985 June became the Police's first woman District Arms Officer. By 1986 the New Zealand Police Force had been in existence for 100 years. An ecumenical service was held at St Michael's church to commemorate. Flags from around the world were paraded into the church to show the diversity of past and present police members. June was one of those flag-bearers. On the 3rd February, 1988 June retired. At that point she was the longest-serving female police officer in the country.
In 1993 New Zealand celebrated the Women's Suffrage Centennial. Enid Brinkler compiled a book as part of the celebrations entitled Women to remember: Rotorua and District. June Berry was one of the women featured and in November, 1993, that information was published in the Daily Post.
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| Daily Post 13 November 1993, p 18 |
Jinty Rorke released her book Policing two peoples: a history of the police in the Bay of Plenty, in December, 1993. The launch of the book was combined with the Police retired officers Christmas luncheon. In an article in the Daily Post 2nd December 1993, p 2, June Berry reminisced about prisoners having to escape from the cells due to flooding!
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| Daily Post 2 December 1993, p 2 |
In 1996, June Berry was one of the recipients of the Rotorua Community Awards, presented by Mayor Graham Hall to acknowledge the contribution people had made to the city.
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| Daily Post 14 December, 1996, p 1 |
In 1999 June organised a successful reunion of those who'd served part of their policing careers in what is now The Pig and Whistle.
June Berry died on 12th March, 2000. Death notices from family, police and staff of Joe's Diner all appeared in the Daily Post. Her obituary featured in the Daily Post on 20th March 2000, p 2.
Rotorua Library holds two books which contain references to June Berry which I used in the writing of this blog:
- Policing two peoples: a history of the police in the Bay of Plenty by Jinty Rorke (1993)
- Women to remember Rotorua and Districts compiled by Enid Brinkler (1993) for the Women's Suffrage Centennial
This blog is written by Trish, with thanks to Daily Post, Jinty Rorke and Enid Brinkler.
