DS Gerard is new to West Auckland, and has arrived with a certain sense of zeal: a plan to make his mark and kick some arse. It’s about time the police won back some respect in this country, and if Gerard has to get tough to do this, well, he’s looking forward to it.

This no-nonsense approach has already won Gerard the respect of his fellow officers (a couple of the female ones already have a crush). All that power is galvanising and attractive. Zane Gerard appears to be a straight shooter, a tough bastard, a man of his word.

Actually, Gerard is far more calculating. His ability to make alliances, exert pressure and break a few noses made him something of a legend with crims in the Bay of Plenty. The reason this hasn’t ended up before police complaints is that most of those people are far too scared to talk.

Gerard is ambitious and proud of his record. He hates loose ends and smart bastards who walk when he knows they bloody did it. Finding one of those is alive and well and walking round West Auckland. – it’s something he will deal to.

DS Zane Gerard is played by Charles Mesure.