IPV, HMNZS HAWEA (MC 09-0154-053)
National Maritime Co-ordination Centre, HQ JFNZ
The centre is co-located with HQ JFNZ and co-ordinates NZDF support to other government agencies. It is an independent agency that exist to help ensure a number of aircraft and ships available to the New Zealand Government, including the NZDF are put to best use to keep New Zealand safe from maritime threats ranging from terrorism, drug trafficking to illegal fishing.
Liaison Officers from the main agencies help co-ordinate and maximises the effectiveness of New Zealand's maritime surveillance, maritime resource management, barrier law enforcement and barrier control activities undertaken by the NZDF. Their main focus is Customs and Fisheries.
The New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) is the government agency with the job of protecting the community from potential risks arising from international trade and travel, while facilitating the legitimate movement of people and goods across the border. Customs Maori name - Te Mana Arai o Aotearoa - translates as the authority that screens and protects New Zealand.
Customs does this by:
- intercepting contraband (such as illegal drugs)
- checking travellers and their baggage, cargo and mail
- assessing and collecting Customs duties, excise taxes and Goods and Services Tax (GST) on imports
- protecting New Zealand businesses against illegal trade
- enforcing import and export restrictions and prohibitions
- collecting accurate import and export data
As New Zealand’s gatekeeper, Customs uses intelligence and risk assessment to target their physical checks of containers, vessels or travellers. They also conduct investigations and audits, and prosecute offenders.
Customs works closely with the other border agencies, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Quarantine Service and the Immigration Service.
The Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) is a government agency. Fisheries is New Zealand 5th largest export earner and the centre co-ordinates NZDF assets to combat illegal fishing and aiding compliance.
The fisheries within New Zealand's 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are a valuable national asset. This means protecting and enforcing Government policy for the benefit of all New Zealanders. NZDF assets are used to patrol and protect our seas.