NZ first in coastal security zone rule

The Government may have been caught flat-footed by Australia's announcement of a 1850km maritime security zone but it turns out New Zealand already has similar measures.

Foreign Minister Phil Goff said New Zealand put its own zone in place on July 1, requiring all ships heading for ports here to supply information such as destination, cargo and route.

New Zealand officials in Canberra sought an explanation yesterday from the Australian Government after Prime Minister John Howard announced plans to boost coastal security through a 1000 nautical mile "maritime identification zone".

On entering the zone, ships proposing to go to Australian ports will have to provide information such as the vessel's identity, its crew, cargo, location, course, speed and destination.

Mr Goff said yesterday that New Zealand officials had been assured this did not mean Australian wanted to expand its current legal jurisdiction over its coastal waters.

He said it appeared the Australian zone would not infringe international maritime law or the sovereign rights of other countries that came within it.

And he pointed out, New Zealand was ahead of Australia because it had a similar regime in place on July 1. Ships had to supply similar information 48 hours before entering a New Zealand port. 

Mr Goff said he had been advised that Australia was not seeking to alter or extend its jurisdiction over sea travel. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea guaranteed freedom of navigation on the high seas, which are beyond 200 nautical miles of a country. 

 Acting Transport Minister Harry Duynhoven said the zone proposed by Australia would stretch all the way to parts of the South Island - taking in both New Zealand's exclusive economic zone and parts of our territorial waters.

He said there had been no consultation or official approach from Australian authorities. National leader Don Brash said Prime Minister Helen Clark needed to explain why relations with Australia had deteriorated to the point where New Zealand was being left out of decisions affecting its own coastal waters.

Green MP Keith Locke said Mr Goff's attempt to justify the Australian zone was unconvincing,

"Mr Goff fails to recognise it as a threat to international law and the sovereignty of nations."

- additional reporting NZPA