Combined Threat Assessment Group

CTAG is an inter-agency group hosted and led within NZSIS that assesses threats to New Zealand and New Zealand’s interests abroad. The threats are primarily from terrorism, but also violent protest and violent crime.

CTAG gives independent assessments to government agencies

The Combined Threat Assessment Group (CTAG) is an inter-agency group hosted and led within NZSIS. The group gives independent assessments to government agencies about threats to New Zealand, New Zealanders, and New Zealand’s interests abroad.

CTAG is made up of analysts from NZSIS and other government agencies, including:

  • New Zealand Police
  • New Zealand Defence Force
  • GCSB
  • Civil Aviation Authority and Aviation Security Service
  • Department of Corrections.

CTAG is also supported by other agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Transport, and the New Zealand Customs Service.

CTAG assessments are based on classified and open-source information

CTAG assesses the threat of terrorism and violent protest in New Zealand and violent crime abroad, using classified and open-source information from domestic and international sources.

Assessments involve looking at a threat actor’s intent to conduct an attack, and their capability to carry it out.

Assessments are a qualitative and analytical judgement. CTAG uses structured analytical techniques and tools to help with assessments, and works closely with other government agencies.

CTAG monitors the terrorism threat level for New Zealand

CTAG monitors New Zealand’s national terrorism threat level and advises the Director-General of Security, who sets the national terrorism threat level. CTAG conducts an annual review of the terrorism threat environment but the threat level can be changed at any time.    

CTAG issues threat assessments on domestic and international issues, as well as on topics relevant to the threat from terrorism, violent protest, or violent crime.

CTAG’s threat assessments help wider government agencies with their processes for assessing risk. CTAG does not recommend actions to mitigate threats. Individual government agencies make their own decisions about this.

Threat assessments and risk assessments are different, but related. A threat assessment is about an individual’s or a group’s intent and capability to cause harm. Risk assessments consider the likelihood and consequences of a harmful event occurring.