Counter Terror Gazette

Case Study: Counter Terrorism Policing in New Zealand

02 Oct 2011

Counter terrorism in New Zealand is overseen by the Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination (ODESC). The ODESC reports to the Prime Minister and is made up of government and non-government agencies which work together to manage New Zealand’s wider counter terrorism efforts. New Zealand is a very low risk country for terrorist attacks, but that does not mean it is immune from the threat. The Police Commissioner, currently Peter Marshall, is accountable for the operational response to terrorism, which is the responsibility of the New Zealand Police (NZP).

Police CT operations

Following the 11^th September 2001 attacks, the Cabinet approved police funding for a range of counter terrorist measures, in early 2002. New positions established to increase capability include: an Assistant Commissioner to take an executive lead on counter terrorism and national security matters, a Special Tactics Group to respond operationally to terrorist emergencies, a Specialist Search Group and National Bomb Data Centre Manager, a new Strategic Intelligence Unit (SIU), new liaison positions at diplomatic missions in London, Washington DC, Jakarta, Suva and Beijing (in addition to its existing liaisons in Canberra, Sydney and Bangkok) and additional police at six New Zealand airports. Police are responsible for coordinating requests to the Prime Minister for designating groups as a terrorist entity.

The main objective of the new Strategic Intelligence Unit (SIU) is to increase New Zealand’s capability and understanding of the domestic and international security environment. The unit provides strategic and tactical intelligence on terrorism. It also provides intelligence on complex national and transnational criminal activities that potentially impact the national security of New Zealand and other countries.

There is close interaction between the Police and intelligence agencies, such as the NZSIS, of which the police is a member of its Combined Threat Assessment Group, to ensure a co-ordinated approach to national security and counter terrorism.  Police are present at the country’s international airports and also work closely with agencies such as Customs and Immigration.

Other Police units involved in counter terrorism include: the Special Tactics Groups (STG)
which provides tactical capability, deals with armed incidents beyond the capability of the Armed Offender Squads, and provides protection to high risk individuals; Armed Offender Squads (AOS) which provides armed response to incidents involving actual and suspected firearms; Specialist Search Group (SSG)
which searches for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and has been used in all major security operations including the 1990 Commonwealth Games;   Diplomatic Protection Squad (DPS) which provides personal protection for government guests, such as Heads of State and is also responsible for the protection of New Zealand dignitaries, both in New Zealand and overseas.

Operational Partners

In the event of a terrorist situation beyond the resources of the Police, they can request the government to deploy the New Zealand Defence Force to assist them, specifically the Special Air Service Group (NZSAS). In October 2009, specialist trainers from NZP, along with trainers from the US, Australia and Indonesia, provided CT training to a group of Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security personnel in Hanoi.  There are plans for providing further courses in Vietnam.  In May 2011, NZP hosted Exercise Ready Pasifika, a regional CT exercise, in Auckland, with 14 Pacific Island nations, which involved table top exercises.

Notable Events

In October 2007, NZP made a series of armed CT raids in response to the discovery of an alleged paramilitary training camp in the Urewera Mountains.  17 people were arrested and charged with firearms offences, although warrants had been issued for breaches of the Terrorism Suppression Act, but none of those detained were charged under this act.   The raids targeted Maori activists who, NZP alleged, were planning a militant campaign throughout New Zealand to establish an independent Tuhoe tribal state on traditional Tuhoe land. In September 2011 charges against 13 of the 17 were dropped due to inadmissible evidence. Four are still facing charges of participating in a criminal gang and unlawful possession of a firearm.  The raids were very controversial in New Zealand with many seeing the raids as suppression of activism and protest, not terrorism, and some political organisations and campaign groups called for the repeal of the Terrorism Suppression Act (2002).

New Zealand is currently hosting the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC).  The tournament has had no open terrorist threats made against it, unlike al-Qaeda threats against the more high profile FIFA World Cup football tournaments. Superintendent Grant O’Fee is NZP’s operations commander for the RWC and has multi-agency support that includes the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS), elite police squads and the Defence Force.   Security arrangements, including evacuation plans, crowd control and driving VIPs to and from the stadia, have been practised during rugby matches across New Zealand in the year leading up to the start of the RWC. Police will increase security for the USA’s opening match again Ireland, as it ironically takes place on 11^th September, the 10 year anniversary of 9/11.  New Zealand authorities have stated a terrorist attack against the RWC is unlikely, but they are preparing for any scenario, including the worst cases.

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