In 1976 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 present Aviation Security Service 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 that duly 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:

Responsibility for aviation security should be shared between the New Zealand Police and the Ministry of Transport.
The responsibilities of the Service 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 was organisationally separated from the regulatory function.

A Manager, Aviation Security Service was appointed at that time. The incumbent in that position was appointed General Manager of the new Aviation Security Service in August 1993 following devolution from the Ministry of Transport. Reporting to that position is the Regional Manager at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Also reporting to the General Manager are the positions of Manager Quality Systems and Manager Corporate Services.

There are currently three main sources of revenue: a charge on international airlines per departing international passengers, a charge on airlines per domestic passenger sector flown on aircraft of 90 + seats, and specific charges for additional services provided on request, by foreign states or airlines or the Crown.