New Zealand and Compliance with International Transport Security Measures

Abstract

This paper provides an introduction to some of issues for, and impacts on, low-terrorist-threat states when faced with responding to international counter-terrorism standards or expectations. This paper provides background information about terrorism threat levels in New Zealand and other states; New Zealand’s general policy with regard to international counter-terrorism efforts; and roposes the models of rule-taker and rule-maker to assess the nature of New Zealand’s approach to new international counter-terrorism measures. This paper focuses specifically on New Zealand’s contemplation of new international transport security standards: transport is an attractive target for terrorism attacks because of the disruption that is caused, and is particularly relevant to New Zealand which relies heavily on transport links for its trade and tourism markets. This paper will suggest that in determining whether to comply with a new international transport measure, factors such as New Zealand’s geographical isolation and reliance on external trade, its international obligations, and the frequently swift and reactive nature of new international security measures, have the potential to dominate the change justification analysis more than factors such as the risk and threat of an actual terrorist attack occurring in New Zealand. In addition, these factors can be categorised as external, that is, they are factors over which New Zealand has apparently little or no control or ability to change or influence. By their nature, these factors can potentially result in New Zealand appearing to take new security standards (rules) more than making them.