Declassified historical records

We hold the records of all the organisations that have been responsible for New Zealand’s security intelligence since 1919.

We are keen to demystify the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) and promote research and public interest in the history of intelligence activities in New Zealand. 

The nature of our work means that releasing information is often not possible for our current activities, but we are committed to being as open as possible about historical subjects.  

Spanning more than 100 years, our historical records provide a fascinating insight into the national security concerns and social attitudes of 20th century New Zealand. Some of the material can be challenging when viewed through today’s lens but it will add depth and context to the understanding of our country’s history.

Declassification involves the assessment of national security classifications and any other restrictions on access to records to determine what information can be publicly released.

The NZSIS holds many thousands of historically significant records. We have:

  • New Zealand Police’s security intelligence records from 1919 to 1941, and from 1945 to 1949
  • all the Security Intelligence Bureau’s records from 1941 to 1945
  • most of the New Zealand Police Special Branch records from 1949 to 1956
  • New Zealand Security Service’s records from 1956 to 1969
  • our own records, from 1969 to date.

Reviewing classified national security information to determine what can be released is a complex and time consuming process. 

Our small team of declassification officers carry out a line-by-line assessment of every page of every record to determine what information can be released. It can take 60 hours or more to complete a declassification review of a single large paper file.

Our aim is to declassify as much material as possible. But there is some information we can’t release, such as:

  • intelligence source identities
  • the identities of current or previous staff members
  • some sensitive personal information
  • tradecraft and capabilities (such as surveillance technology)
  • information provided to the NZSIS on the basis of confidence by overseas governments and international organisations
  • documents recording cooperation or assistance provided to the NZSIS by agencies or businesses
  • information subject to legal privilege.

The NZSIS Archives Declassification Policy [PDF, 428 KB] includes guidance on how long public access restrictions are likely to apply to these categories of records.

One of the considerations for declassifying historical intelligence and security records is the mosaic effect, which is the possibility that the release of individually unclassified items of information might, when combined, reveal sensitive information.

The mosaic effect is not unique to intelligence and security records as it concerns the protection of any type of sensitive information, for example, personally identifiable information or identification of vulnerable persons. 

Assessment of the mosaic effect in the context of historical records is balanced against the public interest and demonstrating transparency.

Declassified Records

Andreyev records

German records

Previously released records