About Exercise Maru
Exercise Maru was a multi-national, multi-agency exercise which took place in Auckland from 15-19 September 2008.
Specialist Response dealing with illicit cargo of proliferation concern during Exercise Maru. (Photo courtesy New Zealand Defence Force)
New Zealand hosted the exercise, which was led by the New Zealand Customs Service in close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as New Zealand's lead agency on PSI, the New Zealand Defence Force, and the Ministry of Defence. A number of other domestic agencies were involved as well as the Ports of Auckland.
Exercise Maru tested New Zealand's whole-of-government ability to stop a shipment of weapons of mass destruction-related materials from transiting across New Zealand borders and examined issues arising after the interdiction of a WMD-related item.
The exercise was a key part of New Zealand's commitment to the Proliferation Security Initiative. It involves live ship-boarding exercises in the Hauraki Gulf, container inspections in the Ports of Auckland, and a desk-top exercise in the conference sessions.
Training exercises, such as Exercise Maru, help Proliferation Security Initiative participating countries work together in a more coordinated manner to stop, search and seize illicit shipments before and after they leave for their destination.
Other members of PSI's Operational Experts Group participated in Exercise Maru, bringing international expertise and experience in combating the spread of weapons of mass destruction that New Zealand stands to benefit from.
A number of countries from the Asia-Pacific region came to New Zealand for the exercise as observers.
'Maru' is a Maori word which means to safeguard. It was chosen as it was felt it reflected the values and purpose of the Proliferation Security Initiative and this New Zealand-hosted exercise.
Exercise Maru's objectives were to:
- Exercise the national response capabilities of New Zealand and other participating countries regarding interdiction (ship and aircraft-boarding) policies, decision-making, legal frameworks and existing cargo/craft clearance procedures
- Draw attention to weapons of mass destruction proliferation within New Zealand and more broadly in the Asia-Pacific region
- Advance understanding of the importance of communication and information sharing at a national and international level
- Explore lessons learned from previous Proliferation Security Initiative activities, and identify and share new lessons learned
- Advance industry understanding of engagement with the Proliferation Security Initiative
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Exercise Maru was held in Auckland from 15 - 19 September 2008. A number of Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) participating countries attended the exercise, which included both desktop and 'live' scenarios involving intercepting weapons of mass destruction-related materials. Proliferation Security Initiative participating countries tested their responses to these situations, sharing information and ensuring their responses were consistent with both domestic and international law.
Exercise Maru tested New Zealand's whole-of-government ability to stop a shipment of WMD-related materials (dual use commodities) from transiting across New Zealand borders and also examined issues arising after the interdiction (boarding) of a WMD-related item.
