Site Search and Help

National Maritime Coordination Centre


The National Maritime Coordination Centre (NMCC) coordinates civilian use of sea and air patrol and surveillance assets, including information, to ensure the best outcome for New Zealand from a whole-of-government perspective.

This includes coordinating inter-agency or multi-agency operations to detect offending, such as yachts smuggling contraband or illegal immigrants.

Established in 2002, the NMCC plays a key part in managing New Zealand's maritime surveillance and risks.

The NMCC is an operationally independent, whole-of-government resource which is supported by a multi-agency framework of governance rules. It is part of the New Zealand Customs Service and has direct responsibility and reporting lines to Customs.

The NMCC is staffed by civilian and military personnel, including liaison officers from the New Zealand Customs Service, the Ministry of Fisheries and the New Zealand Defence Force.
 
The NMCC works closely with a number of agencies. These include:

  • New Zealand Defence Force
  • New Zealand Customs Service
  • Ministry of Fisheries
  • Department of Conservation
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • Maritime New Zealand
  • New Zealand Police.
The NMCC has three key purposes:
  • To contribute to maritime domain awareness in relation to risks in the marine environment that could impact on the sovereignty, security, safety, economy, environment or foreign policy interests of New Zealand. 
  • To support the effective and efficient use of New Zealand's maritime patrol and surveillance assets.
  • To support and facilitate the effective use and accessibility of maritime-related information from multiple sources that supports the core business of government agencies.