A human intelligence source is a person who agrees to help the NZSIS in order to protect the interests of New Zealand and New Zealanders. These people work with us for a variety of reasons but are generally motivated by their desire to help us and our country.
Information provided by human sources is some of the best we receive and is critical to our mission. They work alongside specifically trained NZSIS staff, known as Case Officers.
We consider the safety of our human sources a top priority. Anything asked of them is carefully planned in advance to identify and minimise any potential risk.
Human sources and Case Officers work within a strict legal framework that places limits on what they can and cannot do. This includes the Intelligence and Security Act, which provides that an intelligence warrant is required before a human source or Case Officer is able to undertake activities that would otherwise be unlawful. There is also a Ministerial Policy Statement covering human intelligence activities.