New Zealand's Diplomatic Protection Service
The Diplomatic Protection Service (DPS) provides personal protection in New Zealand for our own 
dignatories and visiting guests of government.
Specifically, DPS provides ongoing protection to:
- diplomatic and consular residents in New Zealand
- leaders of opposition parties
- visiting guests of Government
- members of the New Zealand Executive
- the Governor General
- the Prime Minister.
The Governor General and Prime Minister are provided continual protection while members of the Parliamentary/ Judiciary executive and leaders of opposition parties are provided protection on an as-needed basis.
Location of Diplomatic Protection Service
The DPS staff is permanently stationed at Government House in Wellington and Auckland, and at Premier House for the Prime Minister. A protection officer is assigned to parliament buildings and DPS patrols high commissions, embassies and consular premises.
A range of protection services are provided for domestic and overseas VIP operations. The level of protection provided depends on protocol and an assessment conducted by the New Zealand Police.
Types of protection
For both domestic and overseas operations, protection can include:
- Advance venue and route familiarisation and planning (Advance)
- Venue and accommodation searches (SSG)
- Venue and accommodation security
- Walking escorts
- Motorcades
- Safe haven and other contingency planning
- Liaison with foreign Police and protection agencies
- Coordination with other Police District Protection Officers and General Duties staff
- Protection advice to partner agencies, Police District Protection Officers and General Duties staff
- Liaison with external agencies.
