30039 (2025). Hon Jenny Salesa to the Minister of Customs

30039 (2025). Hon Jenny Salesa to the Minister of Customs: What capability or staffing gaps, if any, were identified by the NZ Customs Service or Joint Border Analytics Group following the staff reductions implemented under this Minister's tenure?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised that the New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) made organisational changes in a careful, deliberate way to deliver on the Government’s priorities without affecting Customs ability to deliver services and critical support functions, while also managing cost pressures. The Customs 2024 Organisational Change Programme reflected Customs’ focus on ensuring capabilities were located where they need to be, and when they need to be there. This included the review of all existing vacancies and current positions to see where those responsibilities could be removed or incorporated into other roles, without compromising services and critical support functions. There were no changes to staffing numbers in the Joint Border Analytics Group as a result of Customs 2024 Organisational Change Programme.