Response to IGIS review of NZSIS cooperation with Police on counter-terrorism

The NZSIS welcomes the review by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) into the agency’s cooperation with New Zealand Police when investigating and countering terrorism and violent extremism.

The NZSIS is focussed on threats to New Zealand’s national security, including protecting New Zealanders against the threat of terrorism and violent extremism. NZSIS and Police work closely in this area, including sharing information frequently, and across all levels.

The IGIS finds that NZSIS cooperation with NZ Police is well developed and, as the public would expect, critical to the ongoing identification, investigation and mitigation of the threat of terrorism and violent extremism.

While the IGIS did not make any formal recommendations, the NZSIS will continue to improve internal administrative procedures, but will also focus resource on discovering threats and partnering with NZ Police to mitigate those threats.  

The NZSIS welcomes the robust and independent oversight of the Inspector-General and the assurance the office provides in helping maintain public trust and confidence in the work it does, which is often carried out in secret.