Global IssuesDisarmamentEnvironmentHuman RightsInternational SecurityCounter TerrorismCounter RadicalisationCounter Proliferation InitiativesPeacekeeping OperationsInternational OrganisationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastNorth AmericaPacific
Find MFAT's information paper on a country or territory. (We don't have information papers on all countries.)
Although we have tried to use plain English content on the site, you may come across specialist terms and acronyms. Find out what they mean in our glossary of terms.
If you come across a term that isn't included in the Glossary please send us an email.
Terrorism remains a defining challenge for international and regional security. Ongoing terrorist planning and attacks around the world reinforce the importance of effective counter-terrorism measures. New Zealand is committed to regional and international counter-terrorism cooperation, and to improving its counter-terrorism capability, consistent with the rule of law and fundamental human rights.
New Zealand supports the United Nations Global Strategy on Counter-Terrorism, introduced in September 2006 and reaffirmed in 2008. There is a high level of commonality between the principles espoused under the four pillars of the Strategy and those that guide New Zealand’s approach to countering terrorism.
New Zealand works closely with partner countries in the Asia-Pacific to help build and improve counter-terrorism capability in the region. In Southeast Asia, New Zealand has undertaken a number of projects to develop the skills of law enforcement agencies, mostly funded from MFAT’s Asia Security Fund. We have worked both bilaterally and regionally with the three regional counter-terrorism training centres in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.
New Zealand has been engaging with Pacific Island Countries (PICs) since 2001 to strengthen the region’s capacity to meet international counter-terrorism benchmarks and requirements. This has involved work across legislative, policy and operational areas, including assisting PICs to develop security related legislation and report to the United Nations Security Council on their fulfilment of counter-terrorism requirements. Since 2005, New Zealand has convened the Pacific Islands Forum Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
UN counter-terrorism agencies and other multilateral and regional organisations are important partners for New Zealand in providing counter-terrorism assistance.
