In 1974 the Internation Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) adopted its Annex 17 requirements on aviation security. International pressure required New Zealand to make arrangements for aviation security measures. There were however, no legislative provisions at that time enabling Government provision, so interim measures were arranged with the international airports. These arrangements involved aviation security measures being performed by staff employed by the international airports, but under the direct control of Ministry of Transport personnel.

The current Aviation Security Service (Avsec) was established from this staff in 1977. Its establishment directly reflected requirements on contracting States in ICAO's 1974 Annex 17. These included the screening of passengers and cabin baggage and the patrolling of security areas, and also ensuring authorised and suitably trained officers were readily available for deployment at airports to assist in dealing with suspected or actual breaches of aviation security.

In 1977 the Government decided that:

1. Responsibility for aviation security should be shared between the New Zealand Police and the Ministry of Transport; and
2. The responsibilities of Avsec should involve aviation as a whole rather than just the airports, as reflected in its name, and that this distinguished it from airport security staff.

In 1989 aviation security operations were organisationally separated from the regulatory function.  The General Manager, Avsec was appointed in August 1993 following devolution from the Ministry of Transport.