Next steps in fight against organised crime

Associate Police Minister Casey Costello announced the formation of the Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) Chief Executive Board, designed to improve government coordination in combating organised crime. The Board will be co-chaired by Customs Comptroller Christine Stevenson and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, with permanent members from key agencies including the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Inland Revenue. The initiative follows recommendations from a Ministerial Advisory Group to enhance governance and information-sharing across agencies.

The Government has introduced a new TSOC strategy and Action Plan, alongside the Ministerial Advisory Group, to address gaps in the current response to organised crime. Costello highlighted that New Zealand faces increasing targeting by criminal groups, with rising drug supply, cannabis grow houses, and international scam centres contributing to broader societal harm. The Board aims to address systemic issues such as restricted information-sharing between agencies, which currently limits operational effectiveness.

The Board’s immediate priorities include improving operational cohesion, particularly around disrupting money flows and reducing the profitability of organised crime groups. Costello noted that while individual agencies perform well, a more cohesive system-wide approach is necessary to address the scale of the threat. The Board will also focus on identifying and addressing systemic barriers to collaboration, such as legal restrictions on data sharing.

The TSOC Chief Executive Board will invite additional Chief Executives to contribute expertise on specific issues, ensuring a broader range of perspectives in the fight against organised crime. The initiative reflects a government commitment to strengthening New Zealand’s response to transnational and serious organised crime through enhanced coordination and strategic oversight.