New Zealand introduces bill to strengthen border security

The New Zealand government introduced a bill to strengthen customs' ability to combat organized crime and growing border threats, a senior official said Wednesday.



The Customs and Excise (Border Security) Amendment Bill aims to update legislation to address changes in the border threat environment, including a "massive increase" in illicit drug seizures, Customs Minister Casey Costello said in a statement.



The bill would strengthen security requirements in customs-controlled areas and export storage facilities, increase penalties for serious offending, provide customs with additional operational powers, modernize information-sharing and digital border capabilities, and enhance officer safety, according to the statement.

Customs also needs improved powers to address the growing trade in child exploitation material, the minister said.



The bill recognizes customs' role in protecting national security and establishes a framework for information sharing with industry partners, Costello said