The Intelligence and Security Act 2017 sets out the objectives, functions and powers for the intelligence and security agencies, the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) and the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB).
Section 235 of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017 requires that the Act and the intelligence and security agencies be reviewed every five to seven years.
The 2022 periodic review of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017 and the intelligence and security agencies is now complete.
You can access the review report - Taumaru: Protecting Aotearoa New Zealand as a Free, Open and Democratic Society - on the Parliament website here(external link)
The review report was delivered to the Intelligence and Security Committee on 31 January 2023. The Committee has considered the report and presented it to the House of Representatives on 29 May 2023.
The Government is now considering the recommendations in the report.
The review considered whether the legislation can be improved to ensure it continues to be clear and effective, as well as relevant matters that were raised by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain on 15 March 2019.
The Prime Minister appointed Sir Terence Arnold KNZM and Matanuku Mahuika to undertake the review. Dr Penelope Ridings was also appointed as special advisor to support the review. More information about the reviewers and special advisor can be found here.
To learn more about the 2022 review you can:
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The Ministry of Justice has a statutory responsibility to provide the reviewers with administrative, secretarial and other support necessary to conduct the review.
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