NEW ZEALAND: INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION AND

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000243

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/ANP-TRAMSEY, EB/TRA/OTP-DHAYWOOD AND
OES/OA-CDIAMOND
SINGAPORE FOR DHS-MKING
SYDNEY FOR TSA
COMMERCE FOR ABENAISSA/4530/ITA/MAC/AP/OSAO

E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: EWWT ASEC ECON ETRD KSTC PARM PHSA PREL PTER NZ ADM
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND: INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION AND
OUTREACH ON MARITIME SECURITY

REF: STATE 38874


1. In response to reftel, following are details and a few
observations on how post handles maritime security issues in
New Zealand.


2. Post and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) attach, based in Singapore, work closely to
coordinate our approaches to the New Zealand government on
maritime security issues. Meanwhile, the ICE attach and
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also have forged a
a
direct, cooperative relationship with their New Zealand
Customs Service counterparts. This relationship in
particular has resulted in an increase in information
sharing, including export and transshipment data. The CBP
and New Zealand Customs recently concluded an agreement to
implement a comprehensive and cooperative supply chain
security arrangement that will improve information sharing
and target and screen high-risk cargo between the two
countries. CBP and NZ Customs are conducting real-time
targeting, screening and examination trials to develop this
arrangement. While post's defense, regional security and
economic officers are included in these efforts, the direct
relationship between ICE/CBP and New Zealand Customs has
enhanced the exchange of information and expertise. In
turn, post's work with other parts of the New Zealand
government -- such as the Ministry of Transport -- on
maritime security issues has focused on policy matters.


3. OSD recently authorized Pacific Command to place a New
Zealand civilian law enforcement or civilian intelligence
liaison officer on the Joint Interagency Task Force West
(JIATF West) staff in Honolulu. Members of New Zealand
Customs, Police and Maritime Safety Authority will visit
JIATF West in April to determine which agency will
contribute the liaison officer. The officer will provide an
insight into the South Pacific region that PACOM has not yet
attained and will be invaluable in handling maritime
security issues in the region. We expect the liaison
officer to be in place in Honolulu as early as late 2005.


4. Post recently began working directly with the U.S. Coast
Guard, which in September-October 2004 sent a team to New
Zealand to review its compliance with the International
Maritime Organization's International Ship and Port Facility
Security Code. Through this visit, the Coast Guard has
begun to develop a direct relationship with New Zealand's
Maritime Safety Authority, Customs Service and other
relevant agencies.


5. As a small post, Embassy Wellington has found that ad hoc
meetings are sufficient for coordinating USG efforts in New
Zealand on maritime security issues. Responsibilities
within the post are fairly well defined, with the defense
attach handling issues involving New Zealand defense
forces; the regional security officer handling civilian-
related security issues; and, the economic officer handling
issues with any potential commercial impact and serving as
post's primary contact with the ICE/CBP office in Singapore.

SWINDELLS