The NZ Police are accountable for the operational response to threats to national security , including terrorism . If an incident escalates to a level where their internal resources are unable to adequately deal with the issue ( for example , a major arms encounter or a significant terrorist threat ) , the Police Incident Controller may call on extra assistance from the New Zealand Defence Force and in particular NZ 's Special Forces , the military focused New Zealand Special Air Service and terrorism focused Commando Squadron ( D Squadron ) . Control of the incident remains with police throughout . As of 2009 , the two military counter terrorist units have never been deployed in a domestic law-enforcement operation . Military resources such as Light Armoured Vehicles have been used and requested before , such as during the 2009 Napier shootings , and Royal New Zealand Air Force helicopters from No. 3 Squadron are often used to assist in search and rescue and cannabis eradication operations
2009 Napier shootings
2009 Napier shootings
New Zealand Police