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New Zealand’s Cyber Security Strategy 2026-2030, Embracing cyber security to enable innovation, drive a prosperous economy and protect our digital way of life. Threats to New Zealand are becoming increasingly borderless, and this is especially true in the…

New Zealand’s current national terrorism threat level is possible; a terrorist attack is assessed as possible., The Government’s counter-terrorism priority is to ensure the safety and security of New Zealanders both here and overseas. National Security…

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’s…

A coordinated, effective counter‑terrorism system is fundamental to a resilient, prosperous New Zealand. This strategy drives delivery and system maturity around four priority areas of prevent, protect, disrupt and respond, designed to respond to New…

“National security” is about protecting New Zealand from threats that would do us harm. The National Security Community prioritises acting early to prevent threats and build New Zealand’s resilience.  Agencies bring together a range of tools—diplomacy,…

The world today is contending with a range of complex and disruptive security challenges. In order to thrive, New Zealand needs to draw on all of our strengths as a country, both within and beyond our borders. At the heart of New Zealand's approach to…

The National Security Intelligence Priorities (NSIPs) - Whakaarotau Marumaru Aotearoa - define where intelligence should support government to make informed decisions about national security. The 14 National Security Intelligence Priorities cover a range…

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…

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…

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…

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 threats…

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 intelligence…

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 the…

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 information…

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) and New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) need to access information held by public and private sector organisations and individuals…

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…

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.

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…

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 2 - Warranting and authorisation framework. Cabinet Paper 3 - Govt response to IRIS…

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 identities…

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 employees…