Border Patrol: 15 seasons of protecting New Zealand’s border

For its 15th season, Border Patrol is taking viewers behind the scenes of one of New Zealand’s most complex and high stakes environments — the border.

Since first airing in 2002, the series has followed the real work of border agencies as they assess travellers, manage risk, and help keep New Zealand safe. More than 2 decades on, Border Patrol is one of the longest running documentary television programmes, continuing to resonate with audiences even as the way we watch television has changed.

For Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Border Patrol has always been about more than television. It is an opportunity to show the people, professionalism and work behind New Zealand’s border system.

What happens at the border

Every day, INZ Border officers make thousands of decisions that most travellers never see. Border Patrol helps lift the curtain on that work, showing the care, judgement and responsibility involved in each interaction.

Senior Border officer Jonny Ascough has worked at the border for nearly 5 years after spending around 7 years supporting customers through Immigration contact centres, and says fairness sits at the heart of every decision.

“The decisions we make are not only based on risk, but on fairness,” Jonny says. “We take a holistic view of each situation before deciding what is appropriate.”

He says his background has given him a strong understanding of visa settings and how they apply in real world situations.

“I’ve gone from providing information, to actually making the decision,” he says. “That brings a different level of responsibility.”

Why Border Patrol matters

Over the years, Border Patrol has also helped travellers better understand visa conditions and entry requirements, and what is expected when arriving in New Zealand.

Border Patrol provides transparency and helps build public understanding of how decisions are made at the border.

The series shows the balance Border officers must strike every day — applying immigration rules consistently, while treating people with dignity and respect. It also highlights how complex border work can be, from assessing risk in a short conversation to identifying misleading information or managing situations where decisions can have real consequences for people’s plans.

Senior Border officer James Swan, a familiar face on the programme, says representing New Zealand at the border is a privilege.

“I get an enormous sense of pride from being one of the first faces people see when they arrive in New Zealand,” James says.

The programme also shows that working at the border is not about catching people out — it is about protecting New Zealand’s immigration system and ensuring everyone who enters the country meets the requirements.

Working together at the border

A key theme throughout Border Patrol is the close collaboration between agencies at the border.

INZ Border officers work alongside colleagues from the New Zealand Customs Service, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other agencies every day. By sharing information and expertise, they build a clearer picture of risk and make informed decisions that protect New Zealand’s people, environment and economy.

Jonny says that collaboration is essential.

“Information sharing between agencies is critical to keeping New Zealand safe,” he says. “We might identify an immigration risk, but where we can we will share that information with partner agencies if it could pose a Customs or biosecurity risk. Working together is what makes the system effective.”

Border Patrol captures this teamwork in action, showing how agencies rely on one another to respond to issues as they arise.

A show grounded in authenticity

When Border Patrol first aired in the early 2000s, it broke new ground by putting everyday New Zealanders on screen in unscripted, real world situations. That authenticity remains central to its appeal.

James says when filming, the cameras quickly fade into the background.

“I usually forget the cameras are there,” he says “My focus is on interacting with each person professionally and respectfully, while balancing their circumstances with immigration requirements. The reactions viewers see are genuine, and that is what makes the programme so engaging.”

Jonny has appeared in the last 3 seasons, and has recently finished filming for Season 16. He says a lot goes on behind the scenes, not all of which the viewers get to see, but it doesn’t distract the team from their work.

“You might be filmed 7 or 8 times during a season, but only one interaction might make it to air,” he says. “The same camera crews return year after year, so they get to understand our work, which helps ensure what viewers see is an accurate reflection of what is happening.”

James says public feedback has been especially meaningful.

“It is humbling when people stop me to say thank you, or tell me they enjoyed a particular episode,” James says. “That support really reinforces the importance of the work we do every day.”

Season 15 of Border Patrol premieres on Tuesday 24 March at 7.30pm on TVNZ One and TVNZ OnDemand.