World leading border protection service recognised
State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie today recognised the work of the Integrated Targeting and Operations Centre
(ITOC) – a world leading, modern information hub providing enhanced border protection for New Zealand.
The ITOC brings together the New Zealand Customs Service, Ministry for Primary Industries, Immigration New Zealand,
Maritime New Zealand, New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service in one location. It connects
New Zealand to the world 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and uses the power of technology and collaboration to
identify threats to New Zealand.
“Increasing public expectation and advancement in technology drive government departments to collaborate and innovate.
The ITOC is a good example of agencies rising to the occasion and operating more as a system rather than as fragmented
individual agencies,” Mr Rennie said.
“This is an innovative solution to a complex challenge that makes a real difference for New Zealanders, which is the
essence of Better Public Services,” he said.
ITOC uses sophisticated technology as well as advanced intelligence gathering tools and techniques to identify potential
threats and carry out risk assessments for specific people, goods, aircraft or vessels entering or leaving New Zealand.
As a result of this cross-agency initiative, successes have already been seen. This year Customs has stopped kilograms
of methamphetamine, cocaine and other harmful drugs worth millions of dollars from entering New Zealand. High-risk
travellers are identified via Automated Targeting System software, - resulting in a recent find of 2.5 kilograms of
cocaine in a passenger’s suitcases, as an example of the successful work the ITOC does on a daily basis.
Working closely with the ITOC partner agencies, Immigration New Zealand has made use of shared resources and skills to
assist with risk targeting of incoming passengers. This ensures any immigration risk to New Zealand is identified and
managed even before people enter the country.
Immigration New Zealand staff recently worked with New Zealand Police to help identify a foreign national re-entering
the country who had previously been involved in several domestic violence cases. Based on this collaborative work, the
passenger was referred to the immigration team on arrival, and was refused entry.
Processing of firearms imports is another improvement whereby Police based at the ITOC, on behalf of Customs, have sped
up assessments and enquiries about importers. New Zealand Police also provide an important intelligence link to ensure
that when identified offending goes beyond the border and into New Zealand, any relevant support required by Police can
be triggered.
“This group of highly-skilled and capable people share a common goal and commitment,“ said Bill Perry, Customs Deputy
Comptroller for Operations.
“Working together in one location helps them to understand each other’s roles, share information, and streamline border
activities - removing duplication and making better use of resources. Future efficiencies and getting more agencies on
board are a continued focus,” Mr Perry said.
ENDS.
For more details, see Case Study: Protecting the border from behind the scenes