Welcome | Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security

"An effective intelligence oversight system includes at least one civilian institution that is independent of both the intelligence services and the executive." (UN Human Rights Council)

The Inspector-General publishes annual reports and inquiry reports to provide assurance to the New Zealand public that the activities of intelligence and security agencies are open to scrutiny.

The Inspector-General provides independent verification and assurance for the government that the activities of the intelligence and security agencies comply with the law and are proper.

The Inspector-General carries out her responsibilities without the need to obtain prior permission from the intelligence and security agencies or the executive.

The Inspector-General can inquire into a complaint by any New Zealander who believes that he or she has been adversely affected by any act, omission, practice, policy or procedure of an intelligence and security agency.

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.

Latest Media Release View All

20 Dec

IGIS review on how NZSIS passes information about crime to the Police

While collecting intelligence, the NZSIS sometimes obtains information about criminal acts unrelated to national security. Under the Intelligence and Security Act it has discretion on whether to disclose such information to the Police. Read More

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Legislation

Intelligence and Security Act 2017