Police chief wants to keep all Kiwis safe

The prospect of "home-grown" terrorists in New Zealand cannot be overlooked, Police Commissioner Rob Robinson says, but no active terrorist cells are known to be here.

He told a counter-terrorism conference in Wellington yesterday that New Zealand should not be complacent in its vigilance against terrorist groups.

He also said the death of Shelley Mather in July's London bombings had made him more determined to keep New Zealanders safe.

"The grief of Shelley's family actually strengthened my resolve to make sure that those of us who have the responsibility ... do whatever we can and our utmost to protect national security at home and the security of New Zealanders abroad."

Ms Mather, 26, was one of 56 people killed in the July 7 suicide bombings in London.

Her father, John, told a memorial service for her this month, attended by Prime Minister Helen Clark, that his daughter was "murdered by treacherous, unprincipled killers".

The four bombers were all British residents and three were born there, prompting a raft of proposed new anti-terror laws in that country.

Much of the conference is being held behind closed doors. Speakers include the head of the Australian Federal Police counter-terrorism group, Ben McDevitt.

Mr Robinson, opening the conference, said New Zealand was committed to playing its part in preventing attacks.

He said he was often asked if a terror attack could occur here.

"The spectre of home-grown terrorism cannot be overlooked by any of us," he said.

"We don't have any knowledge of any active terrorist cells in New Zealand but given that tendency for overseas trends to arrive here, we cannot afford any complacency."

The police have said previously that there are people and groups in New Zealand sympathetic to the goals or acts of terrorists.

Yesterday the police confirmed it was a tactic to tell some groups or individuals they were of "interest" to security agencies and to monitor their movements, in NZ and overseas, but they would not elaborate.