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Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (New Zealand)

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Inspector-General of the
Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (OIGIS)
since 8 June 2020; 4 years ago (2020-06-08)
Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security
AppointerPrime Minister of New Zealand
Inaugural holderHon. Justice Laurence Greig
Formation1996; 28 years ago (1996)
Websiteigis.govt.nz

The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) is the official responsible for supervising New Zealand's two main intelligence agencies: the Security Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB).

The current Inspector-General is Brendan Horsley, who commenced in the position in June 2020.[1]

The Inspector-General and Deputy Inspector-General are both chosen by the Prime Minister, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition.

Traditionally the office had been very small, but was expanded from 2014 onwards in response to controversies over unlawful activities to include a Deputy Inspector-General, two external advisors, and a number of investigation staff.[2] That expansion was accompanied by some greater resourcing and a more intensive role, in particular with the addition of an own motion power of inquiry, and quickly resulted in a significantly larger number and depth of inquiries, including into systemic issues and matters of public controversy such as an incident involving adverse allegations arising from briefings claimed to have been given by the Security Intelligence Service to the Leader of the Opposition [3] and the conduct of the agencies in parts of the conflict in Afghanistan.[4] Senior political figures have at times criticised the extent of the broadened independent oversight that followed the 2014 reforms.[5]

Functions of the Inspector-General

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The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) is a statutory officer appointed under the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1996.[6] The position replaced an earlier Commissioner for Security Appeals, a position created in 1969.

The IGIS is an independent oversight body, with a broad function of assisting the Minister responsible for NZSIS and GCSB to ensure the activities of each agency comply with the law; ensure that complaints relating to these agencies are independently investigated;[7] and review those bodies' compliance procedures and systems.[6] Neither the National Assessments Bureau nor the Directorate of Defence Intelligence and Security are under the oversight of the role.[8]

The Inspector-General does not have a management role in the NZSIS or GCSB and cannot order them to take, or to cease, any activity - the role is limited to reporting concerns and findings to the Minister,[9] who ultimately is responsible for corrective action. Reports are also made public, so far as possible, as are steps to implement recommendations.

The Inspector-General conducts inquiries into matters of concern, including individual complaints, and reports consequent findings and recommendations to the Minister. Those reports, excluding information withheld because of security concerns, may be found on the Inspector-General's website.[10] The Inspector-General also makes a report each year to the Minister. A copy of that report, excluding material of security concern or which may cause danger is presented to Parliament. A copy, without deletions, must be given to the Leader of the Opposition.[6]

Details on how to make a complaint to the Inspector-General can be found under the Complaints section of the website.[11]

List of Inspectors-General

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List of Deputy Inspectors-General

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "New Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security appointed". The Beehive. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Strengthening oversight of NZSIS and GCSB" (PDF). New Zealand Government. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Report into NZSIS release of information [release of information about Leader of the Opposition to Cameron Slater] — Nov 2014" (PDF). New Zealand Government. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Report into Report of Inquiry into the role of the GCSB and the NZSIS in relation to certain specific events in Afghanistan - June 2020" (PDF). New Zealand Government. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  5. ^ David Fisher (13 May 2020). "Analysis: Pressure on new spy watchdog after five years of unrelenting oversight] — Nov 2014". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  6. ^ a b c "Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1996" (PDF). New Zealand Government. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  7. ^ "The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security website". New Zealand Government. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  8. ^ Section 2(1), Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1996.
  9. ^ "Cheryl Gwyn slams the SIS", 4 Nov 2015, 3news.co.nz
  10. ^ "Publications". Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  11. ^ "Complaints". Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  12. ^ Audrey Young (2 July 2013). "Spy watchdog switch ahead of hearings". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  13. ^ "Inspector General Intelligence and Security appointed". Beehive. 23 April 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  14. ^ "Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security resigns". Radio New Zealand. 25 July 2019.
  15. ^ "The Office of the Inspector-General". IGIS. 1 August 2019. Archived from the original on 27 May 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
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