Border control a focus as British and Irish Lions Tour set to kick-off, PM Bill English says

The PM says borders will be closely controlled.

Border control will be a focus ahead of next month's Lions tour and in the wake of the terror attack in Manchester, Prime Minister Bill English says.

Officials reviewed security arrangements for the British and Irish Lions Tour after the Manchester attack.

Thousands of British supporters will soon arrive in New Zealand for rugby matches from June 3 to July 8.

"There have been discussions about the impact of that attack [the May 22 Manchester bombing] on the Lions Tour. And my advice is that the group who deal with that, who are reasonably experienced at large events in New Zealand, tell us that adequate precautions and security are in place," English said today at his weekly post-Cabinet press conference.

"I think what goes along with that is endless vigilance. And that is looking for any indication of higher risk. So far we haven't seen that in New Zealand. We will continue to focus on our border control, security activities with the security agencies, to keep that threat level low."

Scaffolders David Junior Makikiriti, left, and Sam Leohan installing a temporary grandstand at Toll Stadium in Whangarei in preparation for the upcoming Lions game. Photo / John Stone.

There was some trade-off between extra security measures and convenience and practicality, English said.

"But I think you can be assured that the issue is being looked at pretty thoroughly and if there is any need to change the risk level or change the arrangements then that would certainly occur."

Labour leader Andrew Little has previously said a terror attack can't be ruled out in New Zealand. However, he said such attacks were designed to both get attention and cause people to live in fear.

"The main thing is we make sure that people are safe ... but we don't hold back on living life to the full."