Plans for dealing with mass illegal immigration tested

A range of government departments are today testing their ability to cope with a mass arrival of illegal migrants by sea.

Customs, the Department of Labour, Police, Ministry of Health, the Auckland Regional Public Health Service, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry are among the bodies involved in the exercise.

A fictional boat from the non-existent country of Colchis was due to berth safely at Auckland for the day-long test.

There will be real-time incidents, plus additional information and events being generated by the exercise's control team.

The exercise will test plans, the ability of both personnel and equipment to cope, and assess legal powers for dealing with such events.

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF