Our History

Customs lays claim to being the oldest government department in New Zealand, coming into being on 5 January 1840 when the first Head of Customs was appointed.

Customs has always provided the Government with revenue and over the years, tariffs and taxes collected by Customs became a major source of revenue. Customs is forecast to collect over $8 billion in 2005/2006 – over 15% of Crown revenue.

Customs has also been used by governments to impose various controls over the movement of people and goods and the production and distribution of particular products, especially alcohol and tobacco.

While the fundamental role of the New Zealand Customs Service has not changed since it was first established in the 1840s, its direction has changed over time. From its initial focus of revenue gathering as the fledgling colony established itself in the world, international trade facilitation became the priority in the 1980s and 1990s. Now our focus is most emphatically on protecting the security of New Zealand's borders. The events of September 11, 2001 have extended Customs' traditional focus on inward and transiting goods and passengers to include export goods.

Customs also exercises controls over restricted and prohibited imports, including pornography, drugs, firearms and harmful substances, such as hazardous waste and ozone-depleting products.

Significant Dates

1840 - The first head of New Zealand Customs, George Cooper, arrived in New Zealand from New South Wales with Captain Hobson on HMS Herald.

 

1841 - The colony was detached from New South Wales and the Customs Department became a Customs Home Establishment, subject to the control of the Lord Commissioner of the Treasury in the United Kingdom.

 

1844 - Customs was abolished on 30 September 1844 when the Government introduced a property tax on all property and income, but left it to the good faith of people to assess themselves.

 

1845 – Following a major decline in tax receipts, in April 1845 the Governor repealed the Property Tax and revived Customs.

 

1850 - The Department was freed from detailed control of the United Kingdom Treasury.

 

1858 - Customs Regulations made provision for administration of the Department to be placed in the hands of a Commissioner of Customs (now the Minister of Customs) appointed by the Governor. The Head of the Department was called the Collector of Customs.

 

1865 – The title of the head of the Customs Department changed to Secretary and Inspector.

 

1881 - The Customs cutter Hawk entered service. The name has become a tradition, with the current patrol boat also called Hawk.

 

1910 – Title of Comptroller adopted for the head of Customs.

 

1913 – The Customs Act 1913 was passed, updating the legislative basis for the Department’s work.

 

1933 - The introduction of Sales Tax (as a temporary measure). Replaced by the GST Act that came into force on 1 October 1986.

 

1938 - Import Licensing introduced. (Basic Licences were introduced later in 1958).

 

1966 - Introduction of the Customs Act 1966.

 

1974 – The first drug dogs entered service.

 

1980 – CASPER (Customs and Statistical Processing of Entries and Retrieval) computer system introduced.

 

1996 – New Customs and Excise Act introduced, changes include renaming the department as the New Zealand Customs Service.

 

1997 – CusMod computer system and associated modernised practices introduced.

 

1998 – New Zealand Customs Service internal structure re-organised into national business units.

 

1999 – Border Control Review recommends a more integrated approach to border management. The Government response is to require more focus on a whole-of- government approach.

 

2001 – Customs Strategic Priorities 2001-2004 adopted.

2003 – Supply Chain Security Strategy initiated, providing assurance over goods in international trade arriving in, transiting in and exported from New Zealand.

2004 – purchase of 11 additional pieces of non-invasive (x-ray) inspective technology.

2005 – Project Guardian implemented, realigning organisation for maximum efficiency.

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Further Reading

The following history may be available from your local library: The Guardians at the Gate, David McGill, Silver Owl Press, Wellington 1990.

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Customs Display

A permanent display that celebrates the New Zealand Customs Service from its beginnings in 1840 through to the present day is located at the New Zealand National Maritime Museum, Cnr Quay and Hobson Streets, Auckland. See www.nzmaritime.org

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