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Legislation passed in 2013 included a requirement for periodic reviews of the intelligence and security agencies. In March 2016, Sir Michael Cullen and Dame Patsy Reddy presented the First Independent Review of Intelligence and Security to Parliament....

The protection of New Zealand’s national security is one of 3 core objectives of our security and intelligence agencies. But what exactly is ‘national security’? It’s a difficult concept to define as it needs to be able to respond to different...

What the New Zealand Intelligence and Security Act 2017 does Establishes the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) as a government department and applies relevant provisions of the State Sector Act 1988. The Government Communications...

Intelligence agencies have capabilities that are intrusive and can impact on an individual’s privacy and human rights. The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) and New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) must obtain an...

While the Act provides for a single authorisation regime for the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) and Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), different powers are available to each agency under the Act. This reflects the fact...

A new authorisation regime for warrants What the Act does Provides that both agencies must obtain a Type 1 intelligence warrant for activities targeting New Zealanders which would otherwise be unlawful. Creates a ‘triple lock’ system to protect New...

Ensuring the agencies operate legally and properly and are held to account What the Intelligence and Security Act 2017 does Increases the membership of the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) to between 5 and 7 members. Requires...

Protected disclosures and offences for unauthorised disclosures What the Act does Consolidates, simplifies, and strengthens the existing offences related to unauthorised disclosure. Clarifies that protected disclosures regarding classified...

New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) and Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) employees need to have the ability to acquire, use and maintain any identity information necessary to maintain the covert nature of their work and keep...

In order to support New Zealand’s national security, the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) andNew Zealand Security Intelligence Service(NZSIS) need to access information held by public and private sector organisations and individuals...

Improving information sharing between NZSIS and GCSB and others. What the Act does Gives the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) and New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) direct access to certain government databases. Allows...

The sharing of information, technology and expertise with other countries. What the Act does Makes it clear that sharing information with other countries must be in accordance with New Zealand law and human rights obligations and in accordance with...

The National Assessments Bureau is New Zealand's lead agency for intelligence assessment. What the New Zealand Intelligence and Security Act 2017 does Sets out the role of the National Assessments Bureau (NAB) in legislation for the first time. NAB...

In this section are some examples of how the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) and Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) have used intelligence to keep New Zealand safe from espionage, terrorist activity, and cyber threats.

This is a declassified case study on how the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) conducts a security intelligence investigation. Step 1: The initial lead The NZSIS is notified of a new threat. The source could be a foreign liaison partner...

Espionage is the attempt to obtain secret or confidential information by covert means. Espionage often targets sensitive political and military information and is increasingly directed at economic and commercial information as well. Espionage has been...

The cyber threat The internet has enriched the lives of New Zealanders but it has also increased our vulnerability. People with malicious intent now target New Zealand from afar through the same communications infrastructure that New Zealanders,...

Cabinet papers, and the Regulatory Impact Statement, for the Intelligence and Security Act 2017. Cabinet papers Cabinet Paper 1 - Overview and key issues. CABINET PAPER 1pdf794.92 KB Cabinet Paper 2 - Warranting and authorisation framework...

Simply put, intelligence is information which is collected, brought together, assessed and then used to make decisions. The phrase 'intelligence' is commonly used to refer to the work of intelligence and security agencies. Why do we need it? Like all...

The Act provides for a single authorisation regime for the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) and Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB). The regime consolidates and clarifies the powers of the NZSIS and GCSB. When is an...

Ensuring identities are kept secret What the Act does Consolidates existing measures enabling the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) and the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) to acquire, use and maintain ‘assumed...

Provisions for employees of NZSIS, GCSB and those assisting them What the Act does Creates a single immunities framework for both the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) and Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB). NZSIS...

Introduction Abbreviations AoG All-of-government CIMS Coordinated Incident Management System CTAG Combined Threat Assessment Group DPMC Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet HRB Hazard...

A draft disposal schedule for the NZSIS, GCSB, and National Security Group of DPMC is open for feedback from 19 November-10 December 2018.

Terrorism is a growing international problem and New Zealand is not immune. Counter-terrorism is an important part of the work of the New Zealand Intelligence Community. The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) and New Zealand Security...

In this section is everything you need to know about New Zealand's Intelligence and Security Act 2017. In March 2016, Sir Michael Cullen and Dame Patsy Reddy presented their findings from the First Independent Review of Intelligence and Security in New...

The Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination – commonly referred to as ODESC - is a committee of Chief Executives which manages national security in New Zealand in both its governance and its response mode. During an emerging...

Watch Groups are formed in response to a potential, emerging or actual event. They are a tool to obtain situational clarity in what is often a chaotic environment, and are responsible for ensuring that systems are in place to ensure effective management...

Working or Specialist Groups form when it is desirable for a profession or discipline to determine and present a consolidated view, or specific advice, to a Watch Group or ODESC. Inter-agency Working Groups and Specialist Groups are normally activated...

“National security” in the New Zealand context encompasses more than the traditional definition of security as solely the preserve of defence, law enforcement and intelligence agencies. New Zealand takes an “all hazards – all risks” approach to national...

Seven key objectives underpin the “all hazards” approach New Zealand takes to national security. Ensuring public safety — providing for, and mitigating risks to, the safety of citizens and communities (all hazards and threats, whether...

The New Zealand Government’s responsibility for national security involves balancing many competing interests, including short-term and long-term, domestic and external, public and private, and financial and non-financial. To help the Government strike...

New Zealand’s National Security System provides for a coordinated government response. In it: risks are identified and managed; the response is timely and appropriate; national resources are applied effectively; adverse outcomes are minimised;...

The Chief Executive of DPMC is New Zealand's lead official for national security, and heads the national security architecture. The Deputy Chief Executive National Security Group supports the Chief Executive by leading and...

Central government bears the main responsibility for New Zealand’s national security. This is due to a combination of its primary responsibility for international relations, its ability to direct civil and military assets, the technical and operational...

New Zealand’s arrangements for dealing with national security issues have evolved from what was for a long time known as the Domestic and External Security Coordination (DESC) system, and is now more generally referred to as the “National Security System...