Minister's Forward

I am pleased to present the New Zealand Customs Service Statement of Intent 2005/06, which sets out the results Customs wants to deliver on behalf of the people of New Zealand.

Customs is managing an increasingly complex range of risks at the border, while the volume of goods, people and craft entering and leaving New Zealand continues to grow.

Effective and efficient border regulation contributes to a wide range of community outcomes, spanning health, public safety, the economy, the environment, and our cultural heritage. It also ensures New Zealand meets international obligations covering matters such as the treatment of refugees, the import and export of strategic goods, and the facilitation of passengers and their effects.

The Government has provided Customs with significant increases in funding in recent years to improve its operational capabilities, and substantial progress has been made in implementing these capabilities.

Government expectations of cooperation and coordination in policy development and operational activity amongst agencies will continue. I am confident that Customs will be able to further expand the range of cooperative activities it already undertakes to better achieve all-of-government outcomes.

I fully support Customs in its efforts to operate in accordance with a ‘whole of Customs, one Service’ principle, and to further develop its capability and tools to future-proof the organisation so that whatever the future has in store, Customs is capable of meeting the challenge. A crucial part of this is continuing to strengthen the values necessary for the organisation to achieve its vision of leadership and excellence in border management.

As the Responsible Minister for Customs, I can confirm that the information contained within this Statement of Intent is consistent with the policies and performance expectations of the Government.


Rick Barker
Minister of Customs