Articles tagged with Security
Showing 15 of 117 articles
New Zealand and French Agencies Seize 4.24 Tonnes of Cocaine in Pacific Operation
05 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1106 viewsNew Zealand agencies, including Customs, Defence Force, and GCSB, collaborated with French authorities and the US DEA to intercept 4.24 tonnes of cocaine in French Polynesia as part of Operation Kiwa. This operation is the first major success of the Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) Action Plan aimed at targeting maritime transnational crime networks in the Pacific. The campaign emphasizes international cooperation and enhanced intelligence and surveillance to protect New Zealand and its Pacific partners from organised crime.
Tags: Casey Costello New Zealand Customs Service New Zealand Defence Force Government Communications Security Bureau United States Drug Enforcement Agency French authorities Operation Kiwa Transnational Serious and Organised Crime French Polynesia New ZealandGovernment Launches Wild Deer Management Program to Protect NZ Farmland
03 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1061 viewsThe Government is launching a programme in 2026 to help communities manage wild deer populations, focusing on collaborative catchment groups in the Wairarapa and Hurunui regions. The initiative involves stakeholders such as hunters and regional councils, excludes toxin use for control, and aims to review regulations to enhance commercial opportunities for deer recovery. Additionally, the Government plans to extend efforts to address other wild animal impacts, including wild pigs and Canada geese, through a coordinated approach.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard James Meager MPI New Zealand Deerstalkers Association Game Animal Council wild deer hunting community Biosecurity Minister Hunting and Fishing Minister WairarapaMāori Development Fund Supports Water Storage Project to Boost Northland Resilience
02 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1064 viewsThe Māori Development Fund is investing $191,700 to support early technical work on a proposed water storage reservoir near Kaitaia, led by Te Make Farms Ltd and owned by Ngāi Takoto, aiming to improve year-round water security in Northland. This investment will help strengthen regional resilience, increase productive land use, and support food production while keeping the land under Māori ownership. The project’s preparatory work enhances planning and decision-making, positioning it to attract further investment and deliver long-term value.
Tags: Māori Development Fund Tama Potaka Te Make Farms Ltd Ngāi Takoto water storage reservoir Kaitaia Northland water security regional resilience Te Puni KōkiriBiosecurity Levy Reduced by 30% for Incoming Air Passengers in New Zealand
31 Jan 2026 | 7 months ago | 1143 viewsThe biosecurity component of the Border Processing Levy for most arriving air passengers will decrease by 30 percent, from $16.92 to $12.03, as the costs of rebuilding border operations after COVID-19 have been paid off. The levy funds essential biosecurity services like x-ray screening and detector dogs, which protect New Zealand's economy and environment, particularly benefiting farmers and other primary industries. The government plans to use levy funds to modernize border biosecurity through investments in new technology, including a digital border program and enhanced passenger processing systems.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity New Zealand Border Processing Levy biosecurity air travel New Zealand Traveller Declaration detector dogs digital border programmeHealth Minister Orders Review of ManageMyHealth Cybersecurity Breach in NZ
04 Jan 2026 | 8 months ago | 1401 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has commissioned the Ministry of Health to review the response to a ManageMyHealth cybersecurity breach involving patient information, aiming to assess causes, data protections, and recommend improvements. ManageMyHealth, a private patient portal used by some New Zealand general practices, holds sensitive medical data, prompting concerns about data security and the need for high protection standards. While the review will start by January 30, an Incident Management Team is actively coordinating the immediate response, with Health New Zealand confirming no impact on its systems and general practices continuing to operate.
Tags: Simeon Brown Ministry of Health ManageMyHealth Health New Zealand Government Chief Digital Officer National Cyber Security Centre General Practice New Zealand Incident Management Team Health MinisterNew Inflight Biosecurity Video Urges Travelers to Protect New Zealand's Environment
29 Dec 2025 | 8 months ago | 1181 viewsBiosecurity New Zealand has released an updated inflight video to inform international passengers about their responsibility to declare or dispose of risk items to protect New Zealand’s primary industries and environment from threats like foot and mouth disease. The video, featuring biosecurity officers and ambassadors, provides clear instructions on completing the New Zealand Traveller Declaration and helps airlines comply with the 2023 legal requirement to provide biosecurity information before arrival. Additionally, Biosecurity New Zealand is enhancing border measures by increasing staff and improving airport processing to manage higher passenger volumes during the summer.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Hugh Jackson Grace Rehu Ashton Reiser Biosecurity New Zealand New Zealand Traveller Declaration foot and mouth disease brown marmorated stink bug Biosecurity (Information for Incoming Passengers) Regulations 2023 Auckland AirportNew Zealand and Japan Strengthen Defence Ties with New Security Agreements
19 Dec 2025 | 8 months ago | 1303 viewsNew Zealand and Japan have signed two key defence and security agreements to enhance logistical support and secure information sharing between their forces. The Defence Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement facilitates cooperation in areas like refuelling and humanitarian aid, while the Information Security Agreement establishes protocols for handling classified information. These agreements strengthen bilateral security cooperation, improve interoperability, and support regional stability amid rising international tensions.
Tags: New Zealand Japan Winston Peters Judith Collins Toshimitsu Motegi HMNZS Aotearoa Defence Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement Information Security Agreement New Zealand Defence ForceNew Zealand Invests in Advanced Biosecurity Lab to Protect Primary Industries
19 Dec 2025 | 8 months ago | 1348 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing in a new Plant Health and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) at Mt Albert to enhance biosecurity, protect primary industries, and support economic growth. This modern facility will replace the aging MPI lab, strengthen defenses against biosecurity threats, and help maintain export market access critical to the $60.4 billion food and fibre sector. Construction, managed by Crown Infrastructure Delivery and led by Southbase Construction, began with completion expected in 2028 and operation starting in 2029.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Chris Bishop Biosecurity Minister Infrastructure Minister Ministry for Primary Industries Crown Infrastructure Delivery Southbase Construction Plant Health and Environment Laboratory Mt Albert Research Centre New Zealand GovernmentGovernment Commits $12M to Eradicate Yellow-Legged Hornet Threat in Auckland
18 Dec 2025 | 8 months ago | 1297 viewsThe Government has allocated $12 million through to June 2026 to eradicate the yellow-legged hornet in Auckland, a predator threatening honeybees and New Zealand’s agriculture. Biosecurity New Zealand, supported by industry partners and beekeepers, has intensified efforts including destroying nests, deploying traps, expanding surveillance, and launching public awareness campaigns. Minister Andrew Hoggard emphasizes the critical need for public vigilance and ongoing expert guidance to prevent the hornet’s establishment and protect the environment and economy.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity New Zealand Auckland Government Industry Agreement beekeepers honeybees New Zealand technical advisory group public awareness$200M Gas Security Fund Opens Jan 12, 2026 to Boost NZ Natural Gas Supply
17 Dec 2025 | 8 months ago | 1247 viewsThe $200 million Gas Security Fund, opening on 12 January 2026, aims to increase natural gas availability in New Zealand by supporting projects that accelerate supply or enable storage for critical demand periods. Declining gas production is raising costs and hindering economic growth, making natural gas essential during the transition to renewable energy sources. A new gas advisory panel will provide expert guidance to ministers, ensuring informed decisions amid the complexities of gas exploration and market conditions.
Tags: Shane Jones Chris Bishop Gas Security Fund New Zealand natural gas Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Kānoa Grow Regions gas exploration energy transitionDefence Minister Judith Collins to Visit Japan for Key Security Talks
17 Dec 2025 | 8 months ago | 1168 viewsDefence Minister Judith Collins will visit Japan tomorrow to engage in defence and security discussions with Japanese officials, including Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Foreign Affairs Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. She emphasized the importance of Japan as a key partner for New Zealand, both committed to international order and stability. Collins aims to strengthen the close relationship between the two countries during her visit, returning to New Zealand on 20 December.
Tags: Judith Collins Shinjiro Koizumi Toshimitsu Motegi Defence Minister Japan New Zealand Tokyo regional security international order stabilityNew Zealand Launches VetNet-Biosecurity to Combat Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreaks
17 Dec 2025 | 8 months ago | 1245 viewsNew Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries has partnered with the Veterinary Council to create VetNet-Biosecurity, a network of 200 private veterinarians ready to respond rapidly to serious animal disease outbreaks like foot and mouth disease. This initiative aims to provide urgent field support, including clinical examinations and sample collection, with veterinarians continuing their regular employment while receiving training and financial compensation from MPI. Additionally, free biosecurity training is available to all registered veterinarians to enhance their skills in exotic disease detection and on-farm biosecurity protocols.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Veterinary Council of New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand foot and mouth disease Biosecurity Minister MPI private veterinarians CabinetNew Zealand Invests $13.3M to Boost Aviation Security Across Pacific Airports
15 Dec 2025 | 8 months ago | 1209 viewsNew Zealand will invest an additional $13.3 million over five years to enhance aviation security at 11 Pacific airports through new equipment, technical support, and training. This initiative aims to improve transport security, help Pacific states meet international aviation standards, and address trans-national crime and security threats. The Civil Aviation Authority will collaborate with regional aviation regulators and airport authorities to implement the program, reinforcing safe and secure air travel in the Pacific.
Tags: Winston Peters James Meager New Zealand Pacific region aviation security Civil Aviation Authority airport security Pacific airports aviation regulatorsNew In-Water Cleaning Tech Helps Vessels Meet NZ Biofouling Rules This Summer
12 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1220 viewsA new in-water cleaning technology developed by Port of Auckland and New Zealand Diving and Salvage Limited, supported by Biosecurity New Zealand, will be used in Auckland this summer to help commercial vessels meet biofouling requirements and protect the marine environment. The system effectively cleans hard-to-reach areas on vessel hulls, reducing the need for offshore cleaning and minimizing disruption to passenger and cargo operations. Following successful trials and provisional approval, Biosecurity New Zealand aims to support vessel operators in complying with biosecurity measures while balancing commercial pressures.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity New Zealand Port of Auckland New Zealand Diving and Salvage Limited NZDS biofouling vessel hull cleaning marine environment commercial vessels cruise shipsKiwi Space Activator Launches $1.8M Pilot to Boost NZ Space Innovation
11 Dec 2025 | 9 months ago | 1282 viewsNew Zealand's Space Minister Judith Collins launched a $1.8 million Kiwi Space Activator pilot program to help local companies and universities develop space technologies for future national missions. The program, administered by the New Zealand Space Agency, offers up to $600,000 per project over two funding rounds, supporting innovations aligned with government challenges like maritime security and ecosystem health. Open to New Zealand-based organizations, the initiative aims to advance space technology readiness and maintain the country's leadership in global space innovation, with applications closing on March 1, 2026.
Tags: Judith Collins Kiwi Space Activator New Zealand Space Agency space technology national space mission satellite technology space innovation maritime security biosecurity ecosystem health