Statement attributable to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, Cheryl Gwyn.
I understand how important it is to find out as much as possible about the lead up to the Christchurch mosque shootings. That includes what state sector agencies knew and did with their knowledge and whether there are any problems or impediments to their necessary cooperation.
The Inspector-General’s jurisdiction extends only to the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) and the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB). As the Royal Commission’s Terms of Reference make clear, a much broader Inquiry is required here.
The Terms of Reference expressly anticipate that the Royal Commission may wish to consult with the Inspector-General. In response to any such indication I would of course make available my office’s expertise and ability to look in depth across the whole range of the agencies’ activities.
If it becomes apparent that there are substantive areas directly relating to the conduct of the NZSIS and the GCSB that are not covered by the Royal Commission’s terms of reference I have the power to initiate my own Inquiry or operational review or consider any complaints. I would need to consider carefully, however, whether the parameters of any form of investigation or complaint are in fact encompassed by the Royal Commission’s Inquiry.