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2. Minister of Customs


The Customs portfolio contributes to promoting New Zealand’s economic performance, national security, international standing and the integrity of its tax system.

As responsible Minister, you have the power to make final decisions and determinations on a range of matters that are reserved for ministerial decision making. These mostly involve decisions on the waiver of forfeiture of goods or the allocation of costs to other parties. Once recent (2008) amendments to Customs legislation are brought into effect a new waiver of forfeiture regime, and the ministerial power to waive forfeiture will be removed.

The Comptroller, as Chief Executive of the New Zealand Customs Service has the formal accountabilities to the Minister of Customs that are specified under state sector-wide - and Customs’ own - legislation.

We have very wide-ranging additional responsibilities established under various relevant provisions in 46 Acts that represent the principal legislation under which we have responsibilities. Customs also supports the administration of 21 further Acts that are border protection-related, and which are the primary responsibilities of other government agencies (see Annex B).

The Minister of Customs does not have responsibilities for any boards or groups.

Ministerial Support Arrangements

Ministerial support is currently provided by Customs through:
  • a Private Secretary (seconded on a rotation basis) to the Office of the Minister 
  • an Advisor located in Customs’ Strategic and Executive Services Group who is responsible for servicing all ministerial matters on behalf of Customs
  • support services, such as preparing replies to ministerial correspondence, responses to requests for official information, speech notes, and replies to questions in the House
  • written weekly reports from the Comptroller on policy and operational issues and other material matters that may require ministerial attention or decision
  • special purpose reports and briefings (written or verbal) as required
  • quarterly reports on performance against the Output Plan
  • regular meetings as you may require, with the Comptroller, senior staff and subject matter experts.
 
The Comptroller and senior managers are available to provide personal briefings as you require and the Comptroller ensures that he, or a deputy, is contactable at all times.

Briefing Programme

We will provide a briefing on the key issues of major strategic significance, as well as those requiring ministerial or Cabinet involvement in the short to medium term.

We will also assist in arranging visits to Customs staff and facilities and meetings with representatives of our wider stakeholder groups.