29325 (2025). Hon Jenny Salesa to the Minister of Customs

29325 (2025). Hon Jenny Salesa to the Minister of Customs: What mechanisms are currently in place, if any, to ensure Custom's full participation in multi-agency counter-cartel operations?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised that internationally, the New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) is the current chair of the Border Five Heads of Intelligence and is a member of the Border Five Heads of Operations, which coordinates international responses to Customs matters involving Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime. Customs also has a number of domestic and international Memoranda of Understanding, Information Sharing Agreements, and joint agency working groups that identify and coordinate a joint operational response to Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime activities. Domestically, Customs is a lead-agency participant in the New Zealand Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime Strategy and sub-working groups. On a day-to-day basis, Customs staff are also incorporated into the National Gang Intelligence Centre and the Police National Organised Crime Fusion Centre to share information and coordinate a multi-agency response to Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime matters as they arise.