Statement of Intent 2011-2014 - New Zealand Customs Service

OUTCOME: PROTECTIONNew Zealand is more safe and secure through reduced risk to New Zealand’s interests arising frominternational trade and travelCustoms protects New Zealand at theborder from a range of threats andrisks relating to international trade andtravel. 6 We also protect New Zealandfrom global threats posed by transnationalorganised crime, and thesmuggling of people and prohibitedgoods. In doing so, we balance theProtection outcome with those soughtfor Trade and Travel, so that ourefforts to protect New Zealand donot unduly delay the majority oflegitimate trade and travel. Customsalso protects the Crown revenue baseby actively managing non-compliance.The Protection outcome underpins allthat we do.All of our operations rely on our riskapproach. This approach is supportedby significant intelligence, processes,technology, and systems with riskassessment capabilities. Specifically,our risk approach contributes to thefollowing impact: maintained high levelsof compliance, and additional impactsdetailed under the Ministerial prioritylater in this section.One of the ways that Customsmanages risks is through our presence.We maintain our preparedness andability to respond to risks throughroutine patrols and exercises withother agencies in New Zealand andoverseas. We seek to understandrisks through a presence in areas weeither know little about, or need toupdate what we know. This involvesengaging with traders, travellers, andother parties, including governmentagencies and non-governmentorganisations in New Zealand andoverseas, to inform our intelligence.Our understanding of the riskenvironment enables us to decidewhether or not we need to reduceour presence in areas of low risk; andmaintain or increase our presence toinfluence levels of risk by detectingand deterring illegal activities.Customs promotes compliance anddeters offending through directenforcement, investigations, andprosecutions. We deter offendingby applying sanctions that areproportionate to the scale ofoffending.The Protection outcome is deliveredthrough services across fiveoutput classes for Vote Customs. 7These involve managing risks toNew Zealand through clearingpeople, goods, and craft acrossthe border, while enforcing thelaw. We provide information andintelligence services to other agenciesthat contribute to New Zealand’ssecurity; and policy advice andinternational services to governmentagencies and non-governmentorganisations both in New Zealandand overseas.MINISTERIAL PRIORITYFrom 2011/12, Customs will givepriority to the following, as agreedwith the Minister of Customs:Increase disruption of supplyand dismantle criminalnetworks, particularly for illicitdrugs and people smuggling,and maintain responsiveness asrisks changeWe will deliver this priority throughtwo initiatives:» Disrupt supply of illicit drugs,particularly methamphetamineor ‘P’ and its precursors»Combat the risk of peoplesmuggling, and risks associatedwith major international events.6 Customs counters threats and risks that include: trans-national organised crime linked to international terrorism, weapons of mass destruction proliferation, and other threats; illicitdrug smuggling and smuggling of other prohibited goods, such as objectionable material, and wildlife; people smuggling; Intellectual Property Rights infringements; fraud; Crownrevenue evasion; pandemics; and the illegal removal of Māori tāonga (treasured items) and other cultural heritage items from New Zealand.7 Clearance and enforcement services relating to passengers, crew, and their possessions; Clearance and enforcement services relating to goods; Clearance and enforcementservices relating to craft; Information and intelligence services; and Policy advice and international services.New Zealand Customs Service 15