Information for health professionals and the wider sector is gradually moving. Until mid-2026, information will either be here, or on our other website — tewhatuora.govt.nz.
Agencies and roles supporting border health
Agencies across government work together to support border health.
On this page
- Aviation Security Service (Avsec)
- Border Executive Board
- Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
- Department of Conservation (DOC)
- Immigration New Zealand (INZ)
- Local authorities
- Maritime New Zealand
- Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
- Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora
- Ministry for Primary industries (MPI)
- New Zealand Customs Service (Customs)
- Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Aviation Security Service (Avsec)
Avsec’s work includes screening and searching:
- passengers
- crew
- airport workers
- baggage
- aircraft
- cargo
- vehicles.
Officers are located at key New Zealand airports and provide frontline aviation security services.
Avsec also carries out security patrols and supports the Police and other agencies at the border.
Border Executive Board
The Border Executive Board (BEB) coordinates key border agencies to make sure the border is safe and secure.
Customs New Zealandexternal link
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
The CAA manages the civil aviation system.
Department of Conservation (DOC)
DOC is responsible for caring for our land, water and native species. They have an interest in pests or diseases that could harm indigenous flora and fauna or natural ecosystems.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ)
Immigration New Zealand works with other government departments, international groups, and industry partners to keep the border secure and make the immigration process smoother. INZ is in charge of managing how people enter and leave New Zealand. Its staff check travellers before they come here and when they arrive. They also work with other government agencies to manage any risks travellers might bring, including risks to public health.
Local authorities
Local authorities include regional, district, and city councils. Collectively such agencies are responsible for:
- harbour navigation and safety including regional councils employing harbourmasters
- oil spills, and other marine pollution
- developing and implementing pest management plans and strategies
- developing regional policy statements and strategies.
Maritime New Zealand
Maritime New Zealand is responsible for the safety, security and environmental protection of coastal and inland waterways. Health officials often work with Maritime New Zealand on regulation and compliance activities or in maritime incidents and emergencies.
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
MBIE advises the government on how to improve productivity and growth across the tourism sector. The Ministry collects, analyses and publishes local and international tourism data and supports communications with key sector stakeholders (such as the hotel industry and cruise ship industry).
Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora
The Ministry of Health is the government’s principal advisor on health and disability policy. It provides advice to government on all matters relating to human health, including border health, and working with other government all border agencies to manage border risk.
Ministry of Healthexternal link
Ministry for Primary industries (MPI)
MPI is the lead agency for biosecurity. It provides policy advice, regulatory and operational services for:
- primary production
- marine
- conservation
- social, including health outcomes
MPI staff:
- meet craft arriving in New Zealand
- check for biosecurity risks
- carries out the national aircraft disinsection programme.
MPI authorises and audits New Zealand places of first arrival (designated ports and airports) and manages transitional facilities (where imported goods are checked and cleared). These facilities can help protect against both biosecurity and public health risks such as exotic mosquitoes.
New Zealand Customs Service (Customs)
Customs is responsible for the security of New Zealand’s borders.
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Health NZ runs the day‑to‑day health services across New Zealand. Its work happens at local, district, regional, and national levels.
Health NZ trains frontline statutory health officers — such as medical officers of health and health protection officers — who deal with border‑related health issues.
National Public Health Service (NPHS)
The National Public Health Service is part of Health NZ. Its staff work across the country to improve public health. This includes providing environmental and border health services in communities and at New Zealand’s ports and airports.
Local public health services also check that New Zealand’s international airports and seaports meet the public health standards expected by the international community.
Health protection officers carry out relevant border control activities such as:
- granting quarantine clearance (pratique)
- inspecting vessels for quarantinable or infectious diseases
- providing the ship sanitation certification
- issuing cleansing orders.
HPOs work within their districts.
Medical officers of health are public health doctors. They work in their local health district. They delegate or authorise health protection officers or other people to carry out specified functions under the Health Act 1956.