Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (New Zealand)

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Director-General of the
Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), New Zealand Secret Intelligence Service (NZSIS)
Flag of New Zealand.svg
Incumbent
Brendan Horsley
since 2 October 2020; 3 years ago (2020-10-02)
Government Communications Security Bureau, New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
AppointerPrime Minister of New Zealand
Inaugural holderHon. Justice Laurence Greig
Formation1996; 27 years ago (1996)
Websiteigis.govt.nz

The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) is the official responsible for supervising New Zealand's two main intelligence agencies: the Security Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB).

The current Inspector-General is Brendan Horsley, who commenced in the position in June 2020.[1]

The position is chosen by the Prime Minister, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition.

Traditionally the office has been very small, and includes a Deputy Director, two advisors, and investigation staff. This expansion is to be accompanied by greater resourcing and a more intensive role.[citation needed]

Functions of the Inspector-General

The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) is a statutory officer appointed under the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1996.[2] It replaced an earlier Commissioner for Security Appeals, a position created in 1969.

The IGIS assists the Minister responsible for NZSIS and GCSB, usually the Prime Minister, to ensure the activities of each agency comply with the law; ensure that complaints relating to these agencies are independently investigated;[3] and review those bodies' compliance procedures and systems.[4] Neither the National Assessments Bureau nor the Directorate of Defence Intelligence and Security are under the oversight of the role.[5]

The Inspector-General does not have a management role in the NZSIS or GCSB and cannot order them to take, or to cease, any activity - the role is limited to reporting concerns and findings to the Minister,[6] who ultimately is responsible for corrective action.

The Inspector-General conducts inquiries into matters of concern, including individual complaints, report findings and recommendations to the Minister. Those reports, excluding matters of security concern, may be found on the Inspector-General's website.[7] The Inspector-General also makes a report each year to the Minister. A copy of that report, excluding material of security concern or which may cause danger is presented to Parliament. A copy, without deletions, must be given to the Leader of the Opposition.[8]

Details on how to make a complaint to the Inspector-General can be found under the Complaints section of the website.[9]

List of Inspectors-General

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "New Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security appointed". The Beehive. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1996" (PDF). New Zealand Government. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  3. ^ "The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security website". New Zealand Government. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  4. ^ "Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1996" (PDF). New Zealand Government. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  5. ^ Section 2(1), Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1996.
  6. ^ "Cheryl Gwyn slams the SIS", 4 Nov 2015, 3news.co.nz
  7. ^ "Publications". Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  8. ^ "Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1996" (PDF). New Zealand Government. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  9. ^ "Complaints". Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  10. ^ Audrey Young (2 July 2013). "Spy watchdog switch ahead of hearings". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  11. ^ "Inspector General Intelligence and Security appointed". Beehive. 23 April 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  12. ^ "Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security resigns". 25 July 2019.
  13. ^ "The Office of the Inspector-General". IGIS. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2020.

External links

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