29100 (2025). Hon Jenny Salesa to the Minister of Customs

29100 (2025). Hon Jenny Salesa to the Minister of Customs: What, if any, targeted recruitment strategies or programmes does Customs have in place to improve ethnic and gender diversity, particularly at leadership levels?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised that the New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) has a number of targeted recruitment strategies and programmes in place to improve ethnic and gender diversity, particularly at leadership levels. These include: - Staff applying for leadership roles can request support to help them prepare for recruitment interviews. Staff also have access to online videos and information to support job applications. - The Customs’ Women’s Network runs mentoring programmes to help women grow into leadership roles within Customs. A mentoring programme is also being trialled to support Māori and other ethnic groups in developing leadership skills. - Staff can attend the Women in Public Sector Summit, which helps those interested in developing their career. - Customs has taken part in a professional development programme for Pacific women, supported by several international organisations, including the Oceania Customs Organisation. Customs uses several methods to improve ethnic and gender diversity in leadership, including: - Reviewing the gender balance of interview shortlists. - Mixed gender interview panels. - Interview panel members complete unconscious bias training every year. - Reviewing the balance of secondment opportunities. - Māori immersion program. - Pacific Women’s Professional Development Program.