Questions over whether New Zealand's regional airport security measures are up to scratch.

Stuff reports gangs are travelling between our smaller centres to traffic drugs around the country, where there's little risk of having their bags scanned.

Current security settings mean flights with fewer than 90 passengers are unlikely to go through screenings.

Former Detective Inspector Lance Burdett told Mike Hosking it's an unusual arrangement.

“It just concerns me. I was taught perhaps it was to do with the fuel or perhaps the hijacking of the plane or whatever, but it makes no real sense. We either have security or we don’t.”

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