VZCZCXRO9135
RR RUEHNZ
DE RUEHWL #0053/01 0161944
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 161944Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
TO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 4696
INFO RUEHNZ/AMCONSUL AUCKLAND 1113
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3738

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 WELLINGTON 000053 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
PLEASE PASS TO LEGATT CANBERRA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC JUS NZ XB XU
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR LEGATT GREGORY B. GROVES FOR 
TRAVEL TO NEW ZEALAND, FEB 12-16, 2007 
 
REF: CANBERRA 00075 
 
¶1. (SBU) Embassy Wellington welcomes and grants country 
clearance to Legal Attache Gregory B. Groves and Assistant 
Legal Attache Timothy A. Ryan for travel to Wellington, New 
Zealand 12-16 February, 2007.  The purpose of this visit is 
to meet and conduct briefings with representatives from the 
New Zealand Police, New Zealand Security Intelligence 
Service, and personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Wellington. 
 
¶2. (U) Embassy understands no further assistance is required 
and that lodging and transportation have already been 
secured. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Embassy point of contact is RSO James Doherty. 
Contact details are as follows: 
 
Office:  644-462-6013 
Fax:     644-462-6070 
Cell:    027-451-2537 
E-mail:  dohertyjp@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 
NZD30.00.  A commercial shuttle service is also offered at 
the airport. Taxi fare from the airport to downtown Auckland 
hotels is approximately NZD55-NZD65.  A commercial shuttle 
service is also offered at the Auckland 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 USD100.00. 
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 NZD200.00 (USD150.00).  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 & 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. 
 
WELLINGTON 00000053  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
d. (SBU) New Zealand has 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 drug in New Zealand is 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 to not 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. (U) 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 be permitted to be used in the 
Chancery or connected to Wellington's LAN. 
 
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). 
McCormick