Hon Nicky Wagner

Minister of Customs
7 October 2015

New Customs officers on frontline for summer

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner welcomes 21 new Customs recruits who start training this month, ahead of what is expected to be a record summer for passengers crossing New Zealand’s border.

“Around 2.23 million passengers are expected to travel in and out of New Zealand during December and January with around 75 per cent going through Auckland Airport. This is an increase of about 4.5 per cent compared to last year,” Ms Wagner says.

“The new recruits arrive in time for the summer peak, replacing officers who have left or moved into other positions during the year. They will train together for nine weeks on Customs processes before working at Auckland International Airport.

“Air passenger volumes are expected to grow by more than 22 per cent in the next five years, and the Government is investing more than $6 million in faster, new generation SmartGate border processing technology to help Customs officers meet this increase.

“The first of the new SmartGates will be installed at Auckland Airport in time for the busy summer season.

“Cutting-edge technology, combined with the hard-working Customs staff on the frontline, will help passenger’s summer travel plans to go smoothly while keeping New Zealand’s border safe,” Ms Wagner says.

ends

© Scoop Media