- Posted September 04, 2026
- Media Releases
The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) has released further historical files, with some dating back to the 1930s.
This is the third tranche of historical records published by NZSIS as part of its ongoing declassification programme.
While it is often not possible to release information about more recent investigations, NZSIS is committed to being as open as possible about historical subjects.
The declassification process requires a line-by-line review of documents to check contemporary classification settings and to redact any information that remains protected. This includes the identities of intelligence sources, names of current or previous NZSIS staff members, some sensitive personal information and some sensitive tradecraft secrets.
NZSIS holds the records of all organisations responsible for New Zealand’s security intelligence since 1919. Some of the material can be challenging when viewed through a modern lens, but we believe it adds depth and context to the understanding of our country’s history.
What we’re releasing in tranche 3:
Desmond de Renzy files
Desmond de Renzy was a young man living in Auckland in the lead up to WW2. He worked as a clerk for a shipping agency and had access to Auckland Wharf.
De Renzy was fascinated with the world of espionage and spying. Seized documents showed him to be a fantasist who had created a world of intrigue. This fascination evolved into an obsession which led to him offering his services to the German government. He didn’t want to betray New Zealand but to act as a double agent providing intelligence to the British on German intelligence priorities and modus operandi.
When Police began investigating, they treated his case with a degree of sensitivity. They convinced de Renzy to give up his activities and kept in occasional contact with him.
In 1940/41 de Renzy admitted that he had continued contact with the Germans because he was frightened of what they would do if he did not cooperate. He passed details of shipping movements to them via visiting Japanese merchant vessels. His information was innocuous and apart from removing his access to the wharf, no further action was taken.
Find the declassified Desmond de Renzy records.
Karl Pallo files
Karl Pallo was an Estonian immigrant who arrived in New Zealand in 1929 to represent a French company. When this company closed, Pallo remained here as their agent.
In 1933, Mr Pallo married Latvian born Maria, who was considered to be a Baltic German. In 1935 he established an engineering company, and the couple became naturalised New Zealand citizens in the same year.
Following the outbreak of WW2 Mr Pallo secured contracts with the New Zealand government to manufacture munitions.
The Pallos became victims of a whispering campaign questioning the couple’s loyalty because they were “Baltic Germans”. An investigation led to the couple appearing before the Alien tribunal. Their case wasn’t helped by Mrs Pallo still having family living in Nazi-occupied Poland, some of whom were apparent Nazi supporters.
The Pallos denied being Nazi sympathisers and blamed the rumours on business partners who wanted Mr Pallo interned so they could take over his company. In the end the couple avoided internment, and Mr Pallo continued to run his company. Mrs Pallo did however have restrictions placed on her movements out of Wellington.
Find the declassified Karl Pallo records.
Further Communist Party of New Zealand files
The declassified records relating to the Community Party of New Zealand (CPNZ) date from the 1920s through to the 1980s. The records cover work by both the NZSIS and its predecessor, the New Zealand Police Special Branch.
The CPNZ was of enduring interest to Special Branch and NZSIS because of its avowed belief in violent revolution and its rejection of democratic government. The NZSIS’s interest in the CPNZ waned after Ombudsman Sir Guy Powles recommended in 1975 that higher priority be given to espionage and terrorism.
A range of CPNZ files have been released previously. This latest tranche adds:
- CPNZ Policy on Industry and Trade Unions
- CPNZ National Policy on Elections (Parliamentary and Local Body).
- CPNZ Policy on Public Service, Armed Services, Universities, Professions etc
Find the declassified CPNZ records.
See all of our declassified historical records