The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security provides independent oversight of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service and the Government Communications Security Bureau, the New Zealand intelligence and security agencies.
The Inspector-General is responsible for:
- ensuring that security and intelligence agencies carry out their activities lawfully and properly
- independently investigating complaints about the intelligence and security agencies
- providing advice about oversight of the intelligence and security agencies to the New Zealand Government and the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament.
In carrying out these roles, the Inspector-General is independent of the New Zealand Government and the intelligence and security agencies. The Inspector-General can investigate any matter concerning an intelligence and security agency and has full access to agency records and premises.