Security is about to be ramped up at New Zealand airports, even for flights within the country.

Recommendations are being prepared for Cabinet, with changes likely to include mandatory baggage screening, which will include regional flights.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges said it's part of a changing global environment.

He believes previous security measures were right for the time, but risk levels are beginning to increase.

"I don't think it's been lax. I think it's been appropriate and ... proportionate for where we've been, but what is true is the risk level has elevated somewhat."

But for the time being he's is keeping the details of the plans to tighten security close to his chest.

"I don't want to get through into specifics, but I think as I've indicated we're looking at everything here - the cabin crew, the ground crew, but also the baggage and the cargo."