New Zealand will adopt a wait-and-see approach over controversial full body scanners at airports.
Legislation allowing for the scanners, designed to locate metal and non-metal items under clothing, will be introduced in the Australian federal parliament this week as part of a plan to beef up anti-terrorism measures.
But Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says there is no plan to introduce them in New Zealand.
"Initially we are going to watch how it works out in Australia," a spokesman for Mr Brownlee says.
It was felt New Zealand's existing screening arrangements were adequate at present, he said.
Once introduced, passengers departing Australia may be required to pass through one of the scanners as part of standard screening processes.
Aside from those with serious medical conditions, any passenger who refuses may be denied the right to board their flight.
Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says people won't appear nude to those reading the scans, but rather as a generic outline, with no defining features.
"It will simply identify the spot on the body where there is something that needs to be checked," Mr Albanese said on Sunday.
The technology was trialled by 23,000 volunteers in Sydney and Melbourne.
NZN