Advancing Social Responsibility in Global Freight and Logistics

Safeguarding New Zealand’s Borders Through Vigilance Across Freight Networks 

We recently had the privilege of hosting New Zealand Customs at our Auckland office as part of an important initiative focused on protecting our borders from the importation of illicit drugs.

New Zealand’s market conditions, including relatively high street prices for methamphetamine, have been identified by law enforcement as a factor that can attract interest from organised criminal groups internationally.

In 2025 alone, New Zealand Customs seized over 1,600 kilograms of illicit drugs in just the first five months of the year, including nearly 976 kilograms of methamphetamine, reflecting the scale and persistence of smuggling attempts.

In response, Customs has established a dedicated task force working alongside the freight forwarding industry to increase awareness and provide training on identifying suspicious activity.

We recently had a session at our offices that reinforced the critical role we all play in safeguarding New Zealand. Our border extends beyond airports to include seaports, coastlines, and international freight hubs. Cross-border crime can occur at any of these points, often with warning signs visible within everyday operations.

As part of the global supply chain, we are uniquely positioned to help protect borders. Staying alert to unusual patterns, whether inconsistencies in documentation, irregular shipment behaviour, or activity that does not align with normal operations, is critical.

We can remain vigilant by maintaining awareness within our workplaces and communities, monitoring activity around freight and coastal areas, questioning anything that does not seem right, and carrying out regular checks across our processes.

We know what normal looks like. By trusting our instincts and acting on concerns, we can help safeguard our business, our industry, and New Zealand as a whole.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to New Zealand Customs for their visit and for the valuable insights shared with our team. Their continued partnership and commitment to working closely with the freight and logistics industry are vital in strengthening our collective response to border threats.