This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 WELLINGTON 000548 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EAP/ANP - TRAMSEY 
 
E.O. 12985: N/A 
TAGS: OTRA SENV NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR U.S. DELEGATION 
TO CLIMATE CHANGE PARTNERSHIP MEETING 
 
REF: A) STATE 128977; B) STATE 127651 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Embassy welcomes and grants country clearance to 
U.S. Government representatives Howard Diamond (NOAA), Bill 
Hohenstein (USDA), Toral Patel-Weynand (USGS), Chuck Rice 
(Kansas State University), Harlan Watson (OES), Robert 
Wright (DOE) ,and Shira Yoffe (OES/EGC) to travel to 
Wellington and Christchurch, New Zealand from on or about 
July 19 - 24, 2005.  The purpose of this visit is to attend 
the U.S.-New Zealand Bilateral Climate Change Partnership 
meetings. 
 
¶2.  (U) Embassy is making hotel reservations within per diem 
and will communicate details to the delegation point of 
contact via email. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Embassy point of contact is Political Officer Tod 
¶E. Duran.  Contact details are as follows: 
 
Office:  644-462-6043 
Fax:     644-472-3537 
Cell:    027-451-2538 
E-mail:  DuranTE@state.gov 
 
¶4.  (SBU) All TDY visitors to Embassy Wellington are 
required to report to the Regional Security Office for a 
security briefing if they have not completed an approved 
overseas personal security-training course. 
 
¶5.  (U) Visitors should use local taxi service, which is 
generally safe, reliable and frequent.  Taxi fare from the 
airport to downtown Wellington hotels is approximately NZD 
$30.00.  A commercial shuttle service is also offered at the 
airport. 
 
¶6.  (U) Travelers can exchange currency at the airport upon 
arrival and ATM machines are readily available throughout 
New Zealand.  Check cashing privileges at the Embassy are 
restricted to traveler's checks only up to USD $300.00. 
Personal checks will not be accepted. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Biosecurity Fines: 
 
The Government of New Zealand instituted fines for non- 
declared biosecurity hazards on travelers entering New 
Zealand with undeclared plant, animal or food material. 
Travelers found carrying these undeclared items will be 
immediately fined NZD $200.00 (USD $150.00).  Biosecurity is 
a serious issue in New Zealand and fines will be 
administered immediately and without warnings. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) Security Information: 
 
a.  (SBU) All U.S. citizen personnel serving under the Chief 
of Mission authority in a temporary status of 30 days or 
more must complete appropriate overseas personal security 
training prior to travel (04 State 66580).  Employees who 
have completed the Security Overseas Seminar course at the 
Foreign Service Institute (FSI) after June 1, 2000, meet 
this requirement.  All other TDY personnel must either (1) 
complete the approved seminar at FSI entitled "Serving 
Abroad for Families and Employees" (SAFE), or (2) have their 
agency certify to the Department of State's Bureau of 
Diplomatic Security that the employee has undergone 
equivalent security training.  The contact for this training 
is Assistant Director for Training at (703) 205-2617. 
Country clearance will not be granted for any traveler with 
planned TDY in excess of 30 days if this information is not 
stated/certified.  POC for additional information is RSO 
Wellington. 
 
b.  (SBU) The U.S. Mission in New Zealand currently rates 
the threat from transnational and indigenous terrorism as 
low.  There are no terrorist groups or support groups 
believed to be operating in New Zealand at this time.  In 
light of the worldwide security alert all visitors should 
heighten their security awareness and report any unusual 
incidents to the Regional Security Officer. 
 
c.  (SBU) Anonymous telephonic threats and obscure threat 
mail have occasionally targeted U.S. diplomatic missions in 
New Zealand.  In response to U.S. policies and actions, 
various groups in New Zealand have demonstrated occasionally 
at the Embassy in Wellington and at the Consulate in 
Auckland.  These demonstrations are usually small and are 
peacefully conducted.  During these demonstrations, the host 
country police and protective services normally provide 
adequate protection to the Embassy and Consulate. 
 
d.  (SBU) New Zealand is considered a medium threat crime 
environment.  As such, Wellington and Auckland have 
experienced an increase in violent and petty crimes, but 
they are usually non-confrontational in nature.  However, 
home invasion robberies and assaults, once very rare, are 
becoming more frequent.  Burglaries and thefts occur 
countrywide but primarily in the large cities of Auckland, 
Christchurch and Wellington, and visitors should be 
especially aware that street crime, such as scams and 
pickpockets, is a daily occurrence in these cities.  Common 
sense precautions should be taken, especially at night, to 
avoid becoming a target of opportunity. 
 
e.  (SBU) Generally, New Zealand does not play a significant 
role in the world drug situation; however, evidence 
indicates that New Zealand has been utilized as a transit 
point for shipments of Ecstasy, Heroin and Cocaine to 
Australia.  The most abused drugs in New Zealand are locally 
produced methamphetamine and cannabis.  There have been 
increased amounts of lab seizures and violent crime 
associated with groups attempting to control this market. 
 
f.  (U) All forms of public transportation are generally 
safe at all times of the day; however, at night visitors 
should use common sense precautions so as not to become a 
target of opportunity. 
 
g.  (U) The traffic situation in Auckland can be difficult 
with a moderate amount of congestion.  Wellington and 
Christchurch traffic is significantly better; however, 
during rush hour moderate delays can be expected.  Visitors 
are advised that traffic drives on the left-hand side of the 
road.  Visitors are advised that traffic accidents are 
common and that it is safe to pull over so that police may 
take an accident report.  However, visitors who experience 
hostility or anti-American sentiment should depart the scene 
immediately and notify the RSO. 
 
h.  (SBU) Travelers intending to bring and use any USG 
provided electronic or photographic equipment must contact 
the RSO prior to introducing that equipment into the 
Chancery.  Personal electronic or photographic equipment is 
not permitted in the Chancery.  Only in severely limited 
cases will a notebook or laptop computer be permitted to be 
used in the Chancery. 
 
i.  (U) Precautions should also be taken to not discuss 
sensitive or classified information outside secure 
environments or over unsecured and/or cellular telephones, 
and to securely safeguard classified or sensitive 
information at the Chancery and not at hotels or residences. 
 
j.  (U) Visitors should also be aware of the State 
Department's Consular Information sheet for New Zealand and 
the most recent Worldwide Caution Public Announcements, 
which are available via the Internet at 
http://travel.state.gov 
 
k.  (U) In essence, visitors to New Zealand must exercise 
appropriate caution and be alert to their surroundings with 
regard to their personal security.  Suspicious 
incidents/activities should be reported to RSO Wellington 
(Telephone (64)(4)462-6000, 24 hours/day). 
 
Swindells