An experienced aviation security officer has come forward to blow the whistle on what he claims are serious safety deficiencies at the country's border.
The officer says dangerous items are slipping through because of pressure on workers.
The officer claims during what's called "covert testing" by management, only around three suspect items are being picked up out of every seven that are sent through the scanners and X-ray machines.
These are items including anything from fake improvised explosive devices, to liquids and flammable items.
The Aviation Security Service (AVSEC) disputes the number of suspect items our source says are being missed, but it's refusing to release its test results, saying they're confidential.
The AVSEC worker we spoke to has been on the front line of aviation security for more than 14 years.
"AVSEC are not giving us the staff that we need to be able to do our job 110 percent," he says.
"[Because of that] we are missing dangerous goods."
Covert tests are when management send dodgy items through X-ray machines or on people as they are going through security as a way to test staff.
And this security officer claims plenty of items - including fake improvised explosive devices (IEDs) - are being missed.
"For every 7 IEDs that go through we are missing four. Now, that's on a national level, and that's quite concerning."
It's something the travelling public should be worried about, he says.
"It is a definite risk."
The Government says the worker's numbers are not right but they won't say what the ratio is.
"They are not the sort of numbers we are talking about," says Transport Minister Simon Bridges.
"I reject that and I think that by and large we have a very good, safe and secure system."
In a statement, AVSEC says:
"Last year we introduced new screening equipment (dual view) to improve the ability of our staff to identify threat items. We continue to explore opportunities to improve our performance."
But according to the worker, "[they've] missed lots of stuff".
"People are taking through knives [and] dangerous goods."
Goods like flammable items or liquids.
Still, the experienced security member we spoke to says it's happening because recent restructuring has led to staff shortages, and management is too focused on getting passengers on planes quickly.
"They want us to be able to process... as quick and efficient as possible, even if it means we're compromising security."
AVSEC accepts the numbers of people flying is increasing and that the agency is in a "growth phase".
It says "there may be some growing pains but nothing unusual".
But a staff survey from May would certainly support claims frontline staff feel overworked - and 40.3 percent of those questioned said they felt "disengaged".
"Staff have become complacent because they're exhausted," the staff member says.
He also claims there are ongoing problems with employees facing harassment.
"There's a lot of staff that have approached managers about feeling that they're being bullied, feeling that they're unsafe."
AVSEC says issues of bullying are "historical" and have been dealt with.
But our whistleblower doesn't accept that. He says he loves his job, but that there must be changes.
Newshub.
