Alexander Marc: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Alexander Marc: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:606;Page:3767] 
1. MARC ALEXANDER (United Future) 
 to the  
Minister of Police 
: Does he consider that the police have adequate resources to deal with the cyanide terrorism threats sent to the Australian High Commission British High Commission United States Embassy and an Auckland newspaper; if so will they also have adequate resources in the event a similar threat is made against the wider New Zealand public? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS (Minister of Police) 
: 
 Yes. The police inform me that they have all the resources they need. An investigation is under way and steps have been taken with regard to the security of diplomatic missions and the America’s Cup operation. If there is a more extensive threat the police are able to upscale their response in conjunction with other agencies. 
Marc Alexander 
: Given that the police in centres like Auckland are already overstretched and struggling to combat everyday criminal activity can he reassure the House that the resources assigned to this new threat will not be at the expense of existing police duties; if not why not? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: The police have all the resources they need both in terms of money and of manpower to cover that matter and they are very confident in this case. 
Martin Gallagher 
: Can he outline what counter-terrorism arrangements have been put in place within New Zealand and overseas by the New Zealand Police? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: Following the January 2002 Government announcement on enhanced capabilities for counter-terrorism across a number of Government departments the police took the following steps: a strategic intelligence unit was established at the office of the commissioner to build on existing capabilities which interacts on a constant basis with other intelligence agencies both in New Zealand and overseas and additional staff dedicated to aviation security were deployed at the six domestic airports to supplement the existing airport police units. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: If the police in Auckland have all the money and manpower they need why are the police not responding to burglary complaints from Aucklanders even from those who provide the name address and car registration number of the offender? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: That is wide of the original question but I will allow the Minister to comment. 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: The police inform me that even in Auckland the times of response are coming down. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: How can the Minister give such a blanket assurance of police preparedness no matter what the threat might be when for example the Auckland police numbers are being made up right now with police from Tauranga and Mt Maunganui due to the America’s Cup; why does he not get realistic and recognise the current deficiencies in our police numbers? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: I think that member needs to reflect on the police putting their resources where they are needed. Police from across the North Island go to the Tauranga and Mt Maunganui area every New Year’s Eve to meet the need that arises on his own patch. 
Dr Muriel Newman 
: Why has it taken the threat of terrorism to awaken this Minister to the fact that in spite of the response he has given to this question New Zealand has too few police with too few resources to combat our rising tide of crime? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: If that claim were true I would be worried. It is not. 
Marc Alexander 
: Can the Minister advise us what specific steps he is taking to ensure that the cyanide terrorism threat is not part of a wider threat to the New Zealand public or is this just another case of the media “banging on about issues of no substance”? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: The police have briefed me on this issue and they are confident they have the resources to deal with it. I have confidence in the New Zealand police.