A cursory search on Google reveals that his address is "mike.bush@police.govt.nz".
But as already pointed out, any emails to that address will probably be fielded by his PA.

Which is the point really. It's hardly a state secret, and this kind of response to a simple enquiry is not only completely ridiculous, it's a waste of resources, and it demonstrates clearly that the dysfunction within the police which has been well documented for years is not improving, it's getting worse. It's just a little insight into what appears to be an attitude problem and a disconnection. While touting the latest carefully scripted slogans, and making entertaining television shows and recruitment videos, with cute puppies wearing little police vests, etc; this is the response to a simple request to basic information that the public have a right to know. Making things harder than they need to be, alienating themselves from the community despite claiming the opposite. Instructing people to contact the District Commander may be appropriate in some cases, but it's not in others such as when there is a complaint regarding a DC.

Wairarapa was referred to as "the withering arm of the Wellington Police District" and Police National HQ as "Bullshit Castle" in the Bazely report, and for very good reason. Local Police were also 'investigated' for ignoring and in some cases throwing out hundreds of child abuse files without even investigating them and Sgt Mark McHattie swore "hand on heart" that they'd been dealt with appropriately when he knew full well he had not. The role of the Area Commander in the cover up of the truth was clear, but they were both promoted. The Area Commander doesn't want to know about the serious problems regarding police in the Wairarapa any more than the Commissioner does unfortunately. And the justice system is set up so that this dysfunction, incompetence and blatant corruption is not only protected by the judiciary, but it's funded by the very taxpayers who are all too often the victims of the crimes reported to police.

My proposed solution to this little problem is to introduce the policy of giving people the email address of Mr Bush if they ask, after offering them the DC's, and if they do email Mr Bush with a matter which Police believe should be dealt with by the DC Police can simply respond by forwarding the email to the DC with advice to the sender that they have done so. The problem in this case is that there has not been a satisfactory response from the DC. If the Commissioner actually engaged with people who have legitimate complaints regarding the Area Commander and senior officers in the district, it would avoid litigation. Of course slashing access to legal aid achieves the same result.

Anyway, just mindful of the "no ranty politics" moderation policy, so will leave it at that. Thanks for your assistance Mr Rodgers, it's much appreciated - as is the wonderful work done by Caleb and the group of volunteers who maintain this site and the media organisation who hosts it. I believe it was a worthwhile and valid request under the circumstances and hope it leads to positive change and improved communication between the public and police and better use of tax payer funded resources.

this kind of QUESTION is not only completely ridiculous, it's a waste of resources. it's publically available information, so would probably be refused under section 18. what did you expect would be the outcome?

J Devere:
1. It's not a "QUESTION" it's a request for information under the OIA.
2. Please provide evidence regarding your claim that it's "publicly available information" - your annotation is unnecessarily rude, arrogant and ignorant, it's also plain wrong.
3. It's perfectly clear that it's NOT publicly available information or I would have been provided with it in the first place, and it would be on the Police website. That was made perfectly clear by Police as can be seen by the initial response to the request, refusing the information on the grounds that it is NOT publicly available information and the email address is NOT to be provided. There is no excuse whatsover for the ridiculous delay in providing the information.
4. It's clear that you believe the request will be refused under s 18 - let's see if you're right. That response would only confirm that Police are wasting resources giving requestors the run around instead of providing the information in the first place. What did I expect? Your question, like the rest of your annotation, is ridiculous. I expect Police to provide the information requested without unnecessary delay.
5. We note that your own requests are ridiculously badly worded, which perhaps explains why so many of them have been ignored and refused.
6. Look forward to your evidence regarding the public availability of this information - please provide links to official Police information showing Bush's email contact details. Police routinely refuse to provide email addresses when requested and there is serious discrepancy regarding the disclosure of police email addresses, and anomalies regarding the sharing of electronic information and use of electronic resources.

I would be interested in what others think of this response and whether it is sustainable.