28809 (2025). Hon Jenny Salesa to the Minister of Customs

28809 (2025). Hon Jenny Salesa to the Minister of Customs: What is the current number of unfilled frontline roles in Customs responsible for drug interdiction, and what was the corresponding figure in June 2023 as well as June 2024?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised that as at 31 May 2025, there were 111 unfilled operational roles within the New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) which have a range of responsibilities including drug interdiction. The number of unfilled operational roles within Customs with similar responsibilities as at 30 June 2023 was 82 roles, and 87 roles as at 30 June 2024. There are 84 roles currently under recruitment action.