A new government leadership board tasked with improving New Zealand’s response to transnational, serious and organised crime has held its inaugural meeting, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello has announced.
The Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) Chief Executive Board will oversee efforts to improve cooperation between government agencies, strengthen intelligence sharing and coordinate investigations into organised criminal activity.
Costello said the initiative follows recommendations from a Ministerial Advisory Group, which identified weaknesses in the way agencies work together to combat organised crime. The board will also oversee implementation of the Government’s TSOC Strategy and Action Plan.
The board will be jointly chaired by Customs Comptroller Christine Stevenson and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers. Its permanent membership includes Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet chief executive Ben King, Inland Revenue Commissioner Peter Mersi, Department of Internal Affairs chief executive Paul James, and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment chief executive Nic Blakeley.
Costello warned that international criminal organisations are increasingly targeting New Zealand through methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking, large-scale cannabis cultivation and sophisticated overseas scam operations.
She said these activities frequently involve money laundering and migrant exploitation, while contributing to violence, economic losses and drug-related harm in communities.
A major concern is the existing restrictions on information sharing between government agencies. Costello pointed out that Customs and Police are generally unable to exchange certain investigative information, including telephone numbers associated with gang members, despite both agencies working to disrupt organised criminal networks.
The new board will focus on addressing such barriers, improving investigative cooperation, identifying potential legislative reforms and ensuring government resources are directed towards the most effective responses.
Particular attention will be given to disrupting criminal financial networks and reducing the profitability of organised crime.
The board will also examine existing governance arrangements, identify opportunities to improve efficiency and strengthen the work of the Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities (ROCC) programme.
Additional government chief executives may participate in board discussions when specialist knowledge or leadership is required.
Costello said the overall objective is to replace fragmented agency responses with a more coordinated government-wide approach capable of tackling increasingly sophisticated criminal organisations.
