Police in Queensland have confirmed that a contingent of more than 200 New Zealand officers will carry guns while they are in Brisbane helping to provide security at next week's G20 summit.
A Queensland police officer in tactical gear poses for a photo during a vehicle search demonstration ahead of the G20 meeting in Brisbane. Photo: AAP / Dan Peled
The deployment will be the largest ever overseas, and will involve 212 staff from all districts.
The New Zealand officers will be part of a 6000-strong force at the summit next weekend.
The Queensland authorities said they would be authorised as non-state officers during their deployment, giving them the same powers as Queensland officers. Australian police officers are routinely armed.
The authorities said the New Zealanders would be issued with a weapon they were already trained in and familiar with, when they arrived in Brisbane.
From today, a security buffer has been established in Brisbane around areas like hotels where delegates will stay and the Brisbane Convention Centre, where most of the G20 events will be held.
Last month, New Zealand's Assistant Police Commissioner Mike Rusbatch said most staff would assist with route and venue security, with others deployed in a range of specialist roles.
New Zealand police would not be deployed in any front line public order or crowd control roles, he said.
All costs of the New Zealand deployment will be met by the Queensland Police.