Meet the London trainee police puppy named after fallen Kiwi officer Matt Ratana

The funeral for New Zealander Matt Ratana will take place overnight in England, just before the nation goes into another COVID-19 lockdown. 

Sergeant Ratana was murdered in September while on duty for London's Metropolitan Police, where he'd worked for nearly 30 years. 

The service overnight will be scaled down and limited to just 30 guests, but it will include a haka by London's Māori Club Ngati Rānana, led by All Black great Zinzan Brooke. 

And as a tribute, a trainee police puppy has been named in his honour.

Much like his namesake, Ratana the police pup is full of energy, confident and cheeky.

The four-month-old Springer Spaniel is the newest recruit for dog trainer Darren Gobie, who allowed Newshub to attend one of his sessions in this North Yorkshire paddock:

"He's got a massive amount of promise. I've seen nothing in this point in time that suggests he won't be a very successful search dog," Globe said.

The canine Ratana was named in honour of the human Ratana - Sergeant Matt Ratana, a Kiwi in London's Met Police who was fatally shot in September.

His death has not only devastated colleagues but also the rugby club where he was head coach. The pup is just one way to ensure his memory lives on: 

"It's a legacy to Matt and what he did in his community," said Gobie.

While he's only chasing balls and mastering the use of his nose at the moment, Ratana's destined for an important career on the front line.

"More than likely he'll be a drugs, cash and firearms recovery dog - so he will search for illegal drugs, laundered money and firearms," Gobie explained.

By April next year, Ratana will be much bigger, and not far off deployment. And while the two Ratanas share many traits, there's one thing they won't have in common - Gobie is adamant the dog version won't support the All Blacks.

"No, I think he'll be a red rose," he said.

It's rugby banter which Sergeant Ratana would no doubt endorse, as his police baton passes to this four-legged member of the force.