Report of the NEW ZEALAND SECURITY INTELLIGENCE SERVICE

NZSIS Annual Report for the year ended June 2007

Presented to the House of Representatives pursuant to Section 4J
of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Act 1969

Table of Contents

 

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Introduction

The 2006/07 financial year has been one of many changes for both the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (the Service) and its staff. Richard Woods retired as Director of Security at the end of October 2006. I was appointed to succeed him and joined the Service on 1 November 2006.

During 2006/07 the Service drafted and instituted a new Mission, Vision and Values. To support these, the Service commenced creating a strategic framework and undertaking a fundamental structural realignment, to enable a firm footing for the next decade and beyond.

We were fortunate to have the services of an international strategic expert, from within the security community, to assist the Service undertake a range of initiatives to support ongoing organisational development.

50thAnniversary

On 28 November 2006 the Service celebrated its 50th Anniversary. I would like to acknowledge the extensive work and planning carried out by Richard Woods and his team to prepare for these celebrations. This important milestone was marked appropriately by staff, past and present, together with the Service’s domestic and international intelligence partners and other invited guests.

Overview

The Service continues to operate in a much more security focussed world than ever before. The Service’s key role is encapsulated in its Government Goal:

“A key responsibility of Government is the maintenance of national security – a state of being in which both the New Zealand Government and individual New Zealanders can pursue their objectives untroubled by fear or danger”.

Around the world acts of terrorism continue to occur, often affecting innocent bystanders. We continue to see items on the television news and headlines in the newspapers of bombs, either having been discovered or having gone off, kidnappings and slayings.

While most of these accounts discuss situations on the other side of the world, the Service must not relax its vigilance and, in the past year, has investigated:

  • activities of individuals in New Zealand assessed as being, or being associates of, Islamic extremists;
  • links between individuals in New Zealand and international extremist organisations, both as members and fund raisers;
  • individuals who have been assessed as putting New Zealanders’ security at risk;
  • covert activity in New Zealand on the part of foreign intelligence services; and
  • activities and links in support of weapons of mass destruction programmes abroad.

The world is changing; methods of communication and use of the internet, both as an educator and a means of influence, have become more sophisticated and made the world “a smaller place”. The Service must continue to work with its fellow intelligence community counterparts to develop the expertise necessary to operate within this changing environment.

Conclusion

My first eight months in this role have been extremely busy and rewarding.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff for their dedication and professionalism, and for continuing to deliver to a very high standard during these times of change.

[SIGNED]

Dr Warren Tucker
Director of Security

 

 

NZSIS OVERVIEW

During the 2006/07 financial year the Service reviewed its Vision and Mission statements, and the revised Vision and Mission are presented below.

Our Vision

We are a dynamic professional intelligence service, focussed on the requirements of our core customers and stakeholders in government, working collaboratively at home and abroad and striving to achieve a safe and prosperous New Zealand.

Our Mission

We make the difference by providing comprehensive, high quality security services and advice in conjunction with relevant, timely, critical intelligence that enhances and protects the interests of New Zealand and New Zealanders.

The Role of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

The Service gathers intelligence related to New Zealand’s security, assesses its significance, and gives advice to the appropriate stakeholders.

The Service’s functions include:
  • obtaining, correlating and evaluating intelligence relevant to security;
  • communicating intelligence to those that the Director considers should be aware, in the interests of security;
  • advising the Government about matters relevant to security;
  • co-operating with other organisations in New Zealand and abroad that can assist the Service to carry out its job;
  • making recommendations relevant to security relating to immigration and citizenship matters;
  • conducting enquiries into whether particular individuals should be granted security clearances, and making recommendations based on those enquiries; and
  • giving advice on protective security.

Over the years, the specific tasks of the Service have changed due to the constantly changing environment in which we work. As both the national and international environments continue to evolve, so will requirements upon the Service. This is reflected in the Service’s Vision and Mission statements.

Responsible Minister

The Director of Security is responsible directly to the Prime Minister, as Minister in Charge of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, for the performance of the Service.

The Service’s function is governed by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Security Act 1969 and subsequent amendments.