Labour says a move by the government to force police to make more cost-cutting measures means police stations up and down New Zealand face closure.
Labour's law and order spokesman Clayton Cosgrove says a Cabinet paper to Police Minister Judith Collins discusses the sale of police stations and police houses as part of a government-ordered line by line review of costs.
"The papers, kept secret since February, say 'key areas likely to be considered further ... include: the property portfolio, including the rationalisation of housing and station numbers'," Cosgrove says in a statement.
"Police have admitted the review is underway. A police spokesperson said today that work on a sell-off is in its early stages.
"What are cops in a rural town that loses its station expected to do when they arrest someone? Chain them up in their backyard?"
Cosgrove says the public has a right to be very worried about what the government is up to and he is calling on Judith Collins to explain.
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