IAEA team encouraged by New Zealand's nuclear-security efforts

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team said late last week that it had completed a review of New Zealand’s national nuclear security policies.

The two-week International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission concluded that the nation has made efforts to prepare new regulations and revise current legislation to bolster the country’s nuclear security practices.

As part of the evaluation process, the team visited facilities that utilize nuclear materials and identified areas of strength that the nuclear security program possesses and areas where the country could improve.

“New Zealand was pleased to take the opportunity provided by the IPPAS mission to benchmark against international best practice," Deborah Panckhurst, head of Disarmament and Nonproliferation in New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said. “We will consider its recommendations and suggestions to further improve our nuclear security regimen.”

IAEA Nuclear Security Officer Christina George said New Zealand's request for an IPPAS review indicates the nation’s commitment to fostering appropriate nuclear security practices in line with nonproliferation efforts in the international community.

IPPAS missions have been carried out across the globe, with the aim of helping governments increase capabilities relating to nuclear security and implementing international measures.