3 ms·

I'm a Kiwi - I travel a lot - it's pretty terrifying to us too - we're all pretty flabbergasted by this news story - I expect there's going to be a big fuss tom

by Taniwha 13y ago

I'm a Kiwi - I travel a lot - it's pretty terrifying to us too - we're all pretty flabbergasted by this news story - I expect there's going to be a big fuss tomorrow Normally NZ customs care most about biosecurity issues - to avoid their notice don't bring in loose food - eat it on the plane or toss it - wash your muddy boots/tent/hiking gear - that cute beagle sniffing at your bags on the carousel is looking for food, not drugs (the scary german shepherds are probably doing that out the back). Packaged food is usually OK - but if you're unsure ask - at the very least declare stuff you're not sure about - I almost got dinged for bringing mooncakes back from Taiwan one year, turns out they're bad because they're too eggy, I was let off because I'd declared them (as 'cakes' rather than 'mooncakes', who knew I was supposed to). They have amnesty bins you can drop that apple in at the last minute without worry. I suspect this is a one-off - probably the NSA thought he was someone else and leaned on the NZ government - but do do what others have suggested - encrypt your sensitive stuff, leave it on an overseas server and pull it in when you get here - remember the NSA WILL look at it because much of our internet traffic passes through the US so encrypt what you care about.

rodgerd 13y ago
Most Kiwis are pretty ignorant of exactly how powerful customs are. The legislation they're citing this action as being taken under, the objectionable publications, gives phenominal powers to customs. I have a bit of experience with this because I know comics collecters who had huge collections seized in the 90s and never returned on the strength of their having a copy of Frank Millar's (then illegal in NZ) Hard Boiled. They had no recourse on this.
mkingston 13y ago
"it's pretty terrifying to us too" Isn't it? This story upsets me quite a lot. I've recently moved to the UK, but certainly plan on returning, intermittently or otherwise, and do not want to be subjected to this. "probably the NSA thought he was someone else and leaned on the NZ government" We told them to take a hike with the nuclear warships etc.; I wish we'd do the same with their data collection regimes. Unfortunately I definitely don't see that happening under Labour or National; and probably not under any of the parties either :(.

by Taniwha 13y ago

rodgerd 13y ago

Most Kiwis are pretty ignorant of exactly how powerful customs are. The legislation they're citing this action as being taken under, the objectionable publications, gives phenominal powers to customs. I have a bit of experience with this because I know comics collecters who had huge collections seized in the 90s and never returned on the strength of their having a copy of Frank Millar's (then illegal in NZ) Hard Boiled. They had no recourse on this.

mkingston 13y ago

"it's pretty terrifying to us too" Isn't it? This story upsets me quite a lot. I've recently moved to the UK, but certainly plan on returning, intermittently or otherwise, and do not want to be subjected to this. "probably the NSA thought he was someone else and leaned on the NZ government" We told them to take a hike with the nuclear warships etc.; I wish we'd do the same with their data collection regimes. Unfortunately I definitely don't see that happening under Labour or National; and probably not under any of the parties either :(.