Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (New Zealand)
Encyclopedia
The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security is a New Zealand
official who is responsible for supervising the country's two main intelligence agencies
, the
Security Intelligence Service
and the Government Communications Security Bureau
. The Inspector-General is responsible for ensuring that these agencies comply with the law, and with investigating public complaints about their activities. The Inspector-General has no jurisdiction over the activities of the National Assessments Bureau
.
The Inspector-General is chosen by the Prime Minister
, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition
. The appointee must be a retired High Court judge
. The Inspector-General makes an annual report to the Prime Minister, with a copy going to the Leader of the Opposition. A version with secret information removed is presented to Parliament.
The position of Inspector-General was created in 1996. It replaced an earlier Commissioner for Security Appeals, a position created in 1969.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
official who is responsible for supervising the country's two main intelligence agencies
Intelligence agency
An intelligence agency is a governmental agency that is devoted to information gathering for purposes of national security and defence. Means of information gathering may include espionage, communication interception, cryptanalysis, cooperation with other institutions, and evaluation of public...
, the
Security Intelligence Service
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service is an intelligence agency of the New Zealand government.-Purpose:As a civilian organisation, the Security Intelligence Service takes no part in the enforcement of security...
and the Government Communications Security Bureau
Government Communications Security Bureau
The Government Communications Security Bureau is an intelligence agency of the New Zealand government.The mission statement is given as:To contribute to the national security of New Zealand through:...
. The Inspector-General is responsible for ensuring that these agencies comply with the law, and with investigating public complaints about their activities. The Inspector-General has no jurisdiction over the activities of the National Assessments Bureau
External Assessments Bureau
The National Assessments Bureau is one of New Zealand's intelligence agencies. It was formerly known as the External Assessments Bureau when it was renamed as its current status in 2010...
.
The Inspector-General is chosen by the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)
The Leader of the Opposition in New Zealand is the politician who, at least in theory, commands the support of the non-government bloc of members in the New Zealand Parliament. In the debating chamber the Leader of the Opposition sits directly opposite the Prime Minister...
. The appointee must be a retired High Court judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
. The Inspector-General makes an annual report to the Prime Minister, with a copy going to the Leader of the Opposition. A version with secret information removed is presented to Parliament.
The position of Inspector-General was created in 1996. It replaced an earlier Commissioner for Security Appeals, a position created in 1969.