Online network to protect NZ from terrorism

A Crown research institute is compiling a national surveillance and early-warning system to protect New Zealanders from biosecurity and biological threats from terrorists.

The online network, run by Environmental Science and Research (ESR), is scheduled to be in place by the end of the year, The Press newspaper reported today.

ESR environmental health general manager Fiona Thomson-Carter told the newspaper the network was being set up as "we need to have better information coming at an earlier time".

"We are probably not as well prepared as we might be," she said.

Areas to be monitored under the system include health, food and safety, water surveillance and external surveillance.

Doctors around the country will be able to use the ESR website to access information on suspicious diseases.

They will also be able to enter information and other observations from daily contact with patients.

It is expected that police and intelligence services, rather than being contributors, will be end-users of the system.

- NZPA