Community Protection

Outcome

Risks associated with the flow of people, goods and craft into and out of New Zealand are prevented from harming New Zealand’s community, economy and environment.

Customs has a major role in protecting New Zealand from the risks of participating in the global economy. These are the risks associated with the flow of people, goods and craft in to and out of New Zealand, such as transnational organised crime, illicit drugs, objectionable material and illegal migration.

Note: Customs undertakes primary immigration processing at New Zealand ports on behalf of the New Zealand Immigration Service, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is responsible for managing biosecurity.

Strategic Goal 2003 – 2006

Customs will increase its work to disrupt smuggling of contraband, particularly focusing on drugs, objectionable material, illegal migrants, tainted property, suspicious cash, and endangered flora and fauna, by:

• increasing the use of trend analysis to predict future operational focus;
• improving operational responses through better quality risk identification, assessment and management;
• enhancing operational alliances and information exchange programmes with national and international law enforcement agencies, community organisations and commercial entities; and
• increasing the use of technology to detect and prosecute smugglers.

It is important to note that in the past two years there has been a significant increase in the supply and use of illicit drugs in New Zealand, and this trend is expected to continue. The large numbers and quantities of recent drug seizures, particularly ecstasy and am phet a mines, show New Zealand is being targeted by foreign-based drug trafficking syndicates. For example, during 2003 Customs seized 266,157 tablets. Another issue is the need to better control the availability of precursor chemicals for the manufacture of amphetamine-type substances.

This goal focuses on increasing the level of protection against transnational crime. The international risk environment is increasingly dynamic, with a rise in transnational criminal activity paralleling the rise in international terrorism. This is reflected in increasing pressures to combat criminal activity related to illicit drugs, illegal migration, counterfeit and pirated goods, identity fraud, and suspect cash.

Customs also needs to increase the level of assurance it can provide regarding the integrity of export processes so that it can better meet its obligations under legislation and various international agreements.

Performance Indicators

Progress towards achieving this outcome will be indicated by:

• the availability and price of contraband; and
• compliance costs imposed on industry and individuals by Customs’ actions.