New Zealand will take its turn to host a multinational exercise for Asia-Pacific countries focused on countering the illicit trafficking of weapons of mass destruction around the globe, in Auckland from November 16-18, 2026.
Exercise Maru will include expert briefings, a desktop exercise, a practical vessel interdiction exercise in Auckland harbour, and an exercise demonstrating incident response capability at the Port of Auckland. A conventionally powered United States coastguard cutter will join the exercise along with Royal New Zealand Navy vessels and personnel. The vessels will be visible in Auckland Harbour from November 13 to 20.
New Zealand is part of the Proliferation Security Initiative, a voluntary grouping of 116 countries that works to oppose the illicit trafficking of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and associated missiles and technologies. Smaller groups of countries host regional events on rotation. New Zealand last hosted for the Asia-Pacific region in 2015.
Exercise Maru is hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force, the New Zealand Customs Service and Maritime New Zealand and is a valuable international opportunity to enhance maritime security cooperation and grow our region’s capability to respond to illicit trafficking of weapons of mass destruction. It highlights the value of the Proliferation Security Initiative to regional security.
These exercises strengthen the ability of partner nations and agencies to work together in complex maritime environments. Common procedures and regular training improve collective effectiveness when responding to security challenges.
Read more about the Proliferation Security Initiative(external link)