This bill provides powers to respond to a range of criminal offending against New Zealand law in international waters, including offences that take place on board a New Zealand vessel in international waters, offences that take place on board a foreign vessel in international waters, and situations where an alleged offender or evidence of criminal offending is located on a New Zealand or foreign vessel in international waters. The bill does not create any new substantive offences or expand the jurisdiction of any existing offences. It only creates powers exercisable in respect of serious criminal offending against New Zealand law, which the bill defines as offences "punishable by 2 or more years' imprisonment". This threshold reflects that the bill is intended to respond to serious criminal offending at sea, particularly transnational organised crime. 