Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced $11.5 million to help improve airport security around the Pacific.
The Minister made the announcement after arriving in Samoa for the Pacific Islands Forum.
The package will benefit nine countries over the next five years and include equipment and training to improve screening at the border.
Small Pacific states have long been seen as a soft target for trafficking and organised crime because of their relatively rudimentary border security.
Mr Brownlee says "we want to ensure there's no one using Pacific Island states for nefarious purposes, particularly around the issue of terrorism."
A key focus for leaders at this year's Pacific Islands forum has been to upgrade regional security arrangements in the face of threats from North Korea and increased drug and people smuggling.
Newshub.
