Friday 3 May 2002

Border Agencies Welcome "Behind The Scenes" Focus Of New TV Series

New Zealand's key border agencies - New Zealand Customs Service and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Quarantine Service - are 100% behind the Border Patrol television series, the first episode of which screens on TV One on Sunday 5 May at 7pm.

Border Patrol is a 10-part half-hour reality television series following the men and women of the Customs Service and MAF as they protect our country from harm. The series has been made for TVNZ by independent production company Cream TV.

"We welcome the opportunity to open the doors and let New Zealanders see something of how we work," says the Comptroller of Customs, Robin Dare.

"This series is bound to increase public knowledge of the behind the scenes work that goes into protecting New Zealand's borders - and not just at airports. Raised awareness can only be good for maintaining border security and will help to put a human face to the difficult job Customs and Quarantine officers perform every day, week and month of the year," says Mr Dare.

MAF Director-General Murray Sherwin says the series will display the dedication of these "frontline staff".

"The importance of keeping our borders secure, be that from illegal drugs smuggling in the case of Customs or from biosecurity risks in the case of MAF Quarantine Service, deserves to be recognised.

"We all look forward to watching the everyday stories that will unfold each week through Border Patrol and to the interest this will generate in the invaluable work performed by New Zealand's border agencies.

Ends

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