New Zealand manufacturing and transport industry

Companies involved in manufacturing and transporting industrial goods have a vital role to play in combating the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction.

New Zealand has specialist niche manufacturers of advanced equipment and technology, which may be of interest to weapons of mass destruction traffickers. Weapons of mass destruction are often built with components that have a legitimate purpose. For example, New Zealand manufactures continuous cycle enclosed batch fermenters that are used in animal medicine, and could be used in human medicine, for the production of vaccines against pathogenic bacteria. These products could, however, be used under different circumstances in the production of agents for biological weapons.

Some manufacturers may be unaware of the potential dual-use applications of their goods. New Zealand Customs Service has recently engaged in an industry outreach campaign to inform manufacturing and transport companies about weapons of mass destruction and how they could be targeted by proliferators. Attached below is a pdf version of the outreach leaflet provided as part of this campaign. NB - if you would like this leaflet in hard copy, please contact communications@customs.govt.nz.

• Proliferation Security Initiative - a New Zealand Customs service perspective (PDF 1.2MB)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (external link) implements controls on the export of 'strategic goods' and regularly engages in outreach to industry on these controls. Strategic goods fall into two broad categories: dual-use goods and goods designed specifically for military use. Details of the specific goods covered under the controls can be accessed through the strategic goods list on the MFAT website, along with application permits.