Customs has welcomed the graduation of its four new detector dog teams alongside four police patrol handlers and dogs at a ceremony hosted at the New Zealand Police Dog Training Centre in Trentham, Wellington.

All graduates are first time detector dog handlers and will be deployed at New Zealand’s borders across a range of areas including international airports, the Auckland Processing Centre, air and sea cargo facilities, small craft and cruise ships.

Customs Group Manager Intelligence, Investigations and Enforcement, Terry Brown, said Customs’ detector dog teams have a vital role in keeping New Zealand’s borders safe.

“Detector dog teams are a crucial layer of defence at the border. Their ability to detect illicit drugs, firearms, and cash makes them a key asset in protecting our communities by tackling transnational, serious and organised crime,” he said.

“The ceremony was an opportunity to formally recognise the new teams as operational units in front of their families and agency colleagues. The handlers and their dogs have put in hundreds of hours of training, and they are now ready for operational deployment.”

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Mr Brown, referenced the long-standing partnership between Customs and Police.

“For 52 years now, Customs and Police have worked closely to support and strengthen New Zealand’s detector dog capabilities. Today’s graduates will continue to build on the great successes of that partnership,” said Mr Brown.

Inspector Todd Southall, National Coordinator Police Dogs, paid tribute to all involved.

“It’s a proud day for the graduates of both our agencies, highlighting the value we place on working together to protect our borders and our communities.

The training has been a busy and demanding for the handlers, but they’ve risen to the challenges.”