24 September 2012
Will help encourage growth in tourism and trade
Auckland Airport welcomed the announcement today from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Customs and Immigration New Zealand that they have agreed on a pathway of further improvements to New Zealand’s border services.
Judy Nicholl, Auckland Airport General Manager Aeronautical Operations, said, “This announcement is a very welcome development that will make inbound tourism and trade easier. We know that New Zealand, because of its remote location, has a competitive tourism disadvantage to many other countries, and has to work harder to keep up.
“We also know that the ease and quality of the visitor experience at the border can play a significant role in travellers overall impressions of New Zealand, and can play a part in driving economic growth by encouraging repeat visits. The friendly and professional kiwi customer service attitude is often cited in the annual Skytrax awards as a reason why Auckland Airport has been rated the best airport in Australia Pacific for the last four years in a row.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates that our border agencies take that ongoing responsibility very seriously, and are looking hard at ways to introduce new technologies and processes to not only keep improving the travel experience, but just as importantly, maintain and preserve the integrity of our border,” said Ms Nicholl.
Border agencies have agreed on a pathway of improvements to New Zealand’s border services published today. This follows a review of the way New Zealand runs its border services, with the aim of improving border protection and biosecurity, and making trade and travel easier.
The development of a Joint Border Management System between Customs and MPI, is intended to improve border protection by providing better information to manage border risks, and a single on-line window for traders to comply with border requirements, cutting their costs.
Also under development is the Immigration Global Management System. Immigration New Zealand head Steve Stuart said today that the new system would contribute to the faster facilitation of passengers across the border.
Among the new opportunities identified by the review is the possibility of conducting joint customs and biosecurity inspections for cargo at the border, and potentially questioning Australian and New Zealand air passengers about customs, immigration and biosecurity matters at the same point in their journey through an airport.
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For more information, media only, please contact:
Richard Llewellyn
[email protected]
09 255 9089
027 477 6120