New Zealand to fund non-proliferation work

WASHINGTON, April 10 (UPI) -- New Zealand announced plans to partner with the United States on preventing nuclear terrorism through funding non-proliferation work in Kazakhstan.

The U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration said New Zealand has agreed to provide $350,000 to expand its role in the NNSA's Second Line of Defense program, which operates in the former Soviet Union.

Officials said the new funding from New Zealand, which marks the second time the country has contributed to the NNSA program, will go to support nuclear non-proliferation efforts in Kazakhstan, the NNSA reported.

The NNSA Second Line of Defense program is designed to provide foreign governments with specialized radiation-detection equipment at border crossings, airports and seaports along with support for training initiatives.

"We welcome New Zealand's generous and continued support," NNSA Administrator Thomas D'Agostino said in a statement.

"This contribution reinforces the cooperation between our countries to strengthen global and national efforts to prevent the smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive materials."