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Ministerial Advisory Group on Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime

General Information

The Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) on Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime (TSOC) has been established by Hon Casey Costello, Minister of Customs and the Associate Minister of Police. The group provides independent, expert advice.

The advisory group will provide monthly reports to the Minister with its findings and recommendations on different aspects of New Zealand’s response to organised crime. The group commenced its work in late February 2025 and will conclude its work by 30 September 2025.

A key focus of the group is to identify gaps, blockages and vulnerabilities that are hindering an effective response to TSOC. It will develop advice and options to make a step change in the way that law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and the private sector work to detect, deter and dismantle organised crime groups in New Zealand.

This review will provide advice on strengthening operational practices and government decisions on refreshing the Transnational Organised Crime Strategy 2020 - 2025.

Reports prepared by the advisory group

March 2025

Media releases

Member biographies

Steve Symon (Chair)

Steve Symon has been a Crown Prosecutor with Meredith Connell for over 20 years, and a Partner for ten. Over that time, he has been involved in some of the largest and most complex prosecutions in New Zealand. This has involved considerable work across the interface between law enforcement and regulatory agencies.

Craig Hamilton 

Craig Hamilton is a former Police Inspector who specialised in the recovery of the proceeds of crime. Craig now consults for a range of countries on combatting money laundering and other finance-related criminal activity.

Dr Jarrod Gilbert

Dr Jarrod Gilbert is one of New Zealand’s foremost academic experts in matters relating to transnational, serious and organised crime.

John Tims

John Tims is a is a former Deputy Police Commissioner with considerable strategic and operational experience in organised crime and serious crime investigations. John has recently been involved with reviews and strength assessments of agencies both domestically and internationally. Throughout his career, he has worked in a multi-agency environment and was responsible for developing the multi-agency centre Te Pou Herenga Waka in the Counties Manukau Police District. 

Owen Loeffellechner

Owen Loeffellechner is a senior leader with expertise in corporate and private sector protection, both domestically and internationally. He has expertise implementing strategic and operational safeguards to enhance preventive measures and long-term resilience against criminal threats. 

 

Documents relating to the establishment of the advisory group

Fees and expenses 

MAG fees and expenses are in accordance with the Cabinet Fees Framework [CO(22) 2] at level 1 of Group 4 (“All other Committees and other Bodies"). The fees framework is available at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Resources and support

Resources and administrative support are provided by the New Zealand Customs Service. The Chair and members are supported by a Secretariat, which is based in the Wellington Customhouse.

Contact

To contact the advisory group, email tsocmagteam@customs.govt.nz.