The Government will create a new national Computer Emergency Response Team as part of $22.2 million investment into the country's cyber security infrastructure.

The CERT will receive cyber incident reports, track cyber security incidents or attacks, as well as provide advice and alerts to its customers on how to respond and prevent further attacks.

The Government new national Computer Emergency Response Team will aide a significant advancement in New Zealand's cyber security infrastructure. Photo: File

CERTs also works closely with their international counterparts to prevent and respond to cybersecurity incidents, and address cybercrime.

Communications Minister Amy Adams says as part of Budget 2016, over the next four years the Government will invest $20m of operating funding into CERT, with an additional $2.2m of capital for set up.

'Our national CERT will be a key piece of New Zealand's cyber security architecture. It will be the central place for businesses and organisations to go to for help and information when they're experiencing cyber-attacks.

'It will help to protect critical infrastructure and the digital economy, and ensure New Zealanders can be secure, resilient and prosperous online.”

In 2015 cybercrime cost New Zealand's economy $257m and affected more than 856,000 New Zealanders.

Amy says CERT is a core part of the Government's Cyber Security Strategy and Action Plan which was launched in December.

'It speaks to how seriously the National-led Government takes cyber security. Establishing a national CERT means New Zealand joins an international network of CERTs, improving our access to information on potential or real-time cyber-attacks.

'It will help us play our part in a global effort to improve internet security.”

CERT will initially be set up as a separate unit in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and is expected to be in operation in the first quarter of 2017.

Communications Minister Amy Adams. Photo: File