New Zealand Customs Service

Aerial Surveillance and Related Services

To appoint a specialist fixed wing charter service, including crewed aircraft and logistical support to Customs to conduct aerial surveillance activities out up to 200 nautical miles from New Zealand coastlines.

A capable platform that is able to provide Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) that supports Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) to the Government sector. The ISR requires flights at a certain frequency to maintain MDA and mobilisation of flights that need to happen when intelligence is received. The ISR for MDA needs to occur at least every two weeks at a minimum, of 5 hours per flight. Additionally, unscheduled flights (24 hours’ notice) of perhaps, 30 hours per annum. Although the preference is 150 hours per annum.

To enable Customs to safeguard New Zealand from risk and harm by preventing the importation of prohibited substances and prohibited goods through robust investigation and enforcement activities at and beyond the border.