Setting Objectives

Like other government departments, the NZSIS has a Statement of Intent (SOI). In the case of the Service, because of the nature of its work, this is a classified document which is not publicly available. The SOI sets out the Service's broad objectives. A detailed statement of the Service's security intelligence objectives is also prepared annually.

The SOI and objectives are discussed with the Prime Minister and also with the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament when:

• the Service's budgetary estimates are presented, and
• the Intelligence and Security Committee conducts its annual review of the Service's performance and expenditure.

The objectives highlight the specific questions which need to be answered before a threat can be accurately assessed. Once the required information has been identified, it is the job of the Service's information collectors to provide what is needed.