Husband and wife team Maria (Ngāti Porou) and Steve (Rangitāne) Tomlinson run a successful customs and international freight business.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the customs and freight industry they decided to set up their own company in February 2007, called Koru Customs and International Freight Limited.

“We initially started our business around the customs brokerage work as we saw a gap in the market to assist people with getting through the red tape so they can import or export their freight,” says Steve.

“But our business has evolved to the point where we provide a tailor-made total package solution to ensure the delivery of freight from door to door,” he says.

Their office is ideally located minutes away from New Zealand Customs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), the airlines and the international airport passenger and cargo terminals at Christchurch airport.

“People often think it is easy to move cargo from New Zealand to an overseas destination or vice versa but clearance really depends entirely on the product that is being moved – the more risky the freight the more clearance that is required,” says Steve.

“We keep up to date with the latest New Zealand customs rules and regulations, we know MAF requirements and we make sure we know what clearance we need from an overseas destination depending on whether we are importing or exporting,” he says.

Koru Customs and International Freight have relocated rugby players to Japan and this year they relocated the personal items of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans from Christchurch to Australia.

“To be the most successful we could we knew that we needed sound business advice, support and encouragement. Te Puni Kōkiri provided that for us,” says Maria.

“It was good for us because sometimes you just need some reassurance that you are heading in the right direction when you are in business,” she says.

For more information visit: www.korucustoms.co.nz