The Government says establishing a new multi-agency board to fight organised crime would lead to a "more coordinated response" to tackling the growing problem.
Associate Police Minister Casey Costello said Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) groups were "increasingly targeting New Zealand and the wider Pacific region" through drug and people trafficking and money laundering.
"We see daily reports of the work and success of our enforcement agencies in combatting this activity, but organised crime is sophisticated, well-networked and constantly looking for vulnerabilities in our system and opportunities to make money.
"Essentially, we need better organised government to fight organised crime, and the Board will help deliver that," she said.
Funding to ramp up border security and overseas operations as officials warn NZ is being targeted by organised crime syndicates. (Source: 1News)
In its report last year, the Ministerial Advisory Group on TSOC identified a need for clearer governance and stronger accountability across the system with a Ministerial lead.
As a result, Costello said the Chief Executive Board on Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime has been established for a two-year period, co-chaired by the Comptroller of Customs and the Commissioner of Police.
Ministerial responsibility for the TSOC CEB has been designated to Minister Costello by the Prime Minister.
"Our Methamphetamine Action Plan and the new TSOC Strategy released in December show the range of agencies involved and the initiatives being undertaken to fight organised crime.
"What the CEB provides is enhanced oversight and coordination of this work and it will provide the mechanism for focusing on system issues such as information sharing."
Crackdown on people trafficking
This week, Cabinet also agreed to a standalone Trafficking in Persons Action Plan to strengthen protections and improve support for victims.
Costello said the reality was that trafficking does occur in New Zealand and could take many forms, including forced labour, forced criminality, sexual exploitation, forced marriage and domestic servitude.
A ministerial group looking at transnational crime has told the Government NZ is the only five-eyes country that doesn’t have an anti-corruption strategy. (Source: 1News)
"The fact it is often hidden from public view, can make it difficult to address," she added.
The Plan would focus on strengthening prevention, victim identification and support, coordination across agencies, enforcement, and protection measures. It will build on the ongoing operational work of law enforcement and regulatory agencies and provide a framework for coordinated action across government agencies and community partners.
Costello said "victims and survivors are at the heart of this work".
"We want to make New Zealand one of the hardest places in the world for organised criminal networks to operate and cause harm. Trafficking in persons has no place in New Zealand, and we are committed to preventing exploitation wherever it occurs."
SHARE ME