Animals, plants and drugs the smugglers didn't want you to see!

Customs organisations worldwide celebrate International Customs Day (ICD) each year on 26 January. This marks the day of the first official meeting of the Customs Co-operation Council, now known as the World Customs Organization, which has 169 member states.  

This year’s theme was “Customs and the environment: Protecting our natural heritage”.  

New Zealand Customs Service Manager of Investigations and Response, Terry Brown said that escalating international security risks mean Customs has an increasing role in keeping New Zealand's border secure.  

“The trade in endangered species is harmful to the global environment, it also creates a market for illicit trafficking of New Zealand endemic species.”  

In Auckland, the ICD was held inside the Maritime Museum on Friday 23 January.  There were a number of displays, a stirring performance from the Māori Network, as well as detector dog demonstrations and tours of our Hawk IV vessel.  

ICD was held for the first time in Wellington on Monday 26 January at Civic Square.  A sunny and windless day attracted a constant stream of visitors throughout the event.  The Zoo’s tuatara was a big hit with children, as were the half hourly drug detector dog demonstrations.  

“We believe we achieved a heightened awareness of border issues, especially around this year’s environmental theme, and we definitely increased Customs’ profile,” said Aaron Hailwood, who alongside Lauren Wethey and Jim Boyes was one of the key organisers of the event.

Organisers are already discussing bigger and better ideas for next year’s ICD, which will see Customs continue to work alongside other border agencies to promote key messages.


A drug detector dog demonstration in Wellington at Civic Square.

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