(1) A network operator must ensure that every public telecommunications network that the operator owns, controls, or operates, and every telecommunications service that the operator provides in New Zealand, has full interception capability.

(2) However, subsection (1)—

• (a) does not require a network operator to ensure that all components of the public telecommunications network or telecommunications service referred to in that subsection have full interception capability; and

• (b) is sufficiently complied with if a network operator ensures, in whatever manner the network operator thinks fit, that at least 1 component of that network or service has full interception capability.

(3) Without limiting subsection (1), the duty under that subsection to have full interception capability includes the duty to ensure that the interception capability is developed, installed, and maintained.

(1) A public telecommunications network or a telecommunications service has full interception capability if every surveillance agency that is authorised under an interception warrant or any other lawful interception authority to intercept telecommunications or services on that network, or the network operator concerned, is able to—

• (a) identify and intercept telecommunications without intercepting telecommunications that are not authorised to be intercepted under the warrant or lawful authority; and

• (b) obtain call associated data relating to telecommunications (other than telecommunications that are not authorised to be intercepted under the warrant or lawful authority); and

• (c) obtain call associated data and the content of telecommunications (other than telecommunications that are not authorised to be intercepted under the warrant or lawful authority) in a useable format; and

• (d) carry out the interception of telecommunications unobtrusively, without unduly interfering with any telecommunications, and in a manner that protects the privacy of telecommunications that are not authorised to be intercepted under the warrant or lawful authority; and

• (e) undertake the actions referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d) efficiently and effectively and,—

  • (i) if it is reasonably achievable, at the time of transmission of the telecommunication; or

  • (ii) if it is not reasonably achievable, as close as practicable to that time.

(2) If a network operator, or an employee or agent of a network operator, undertakes the interception of a telecommunication on behalf of a surveillance agency under subsection (1), the interception must be taken to be complete when the network operator provides the call associated data or the content of the telecommunication, or both, to the surveillance agency.

(3) A network operator must, in order to comply with subsection (1)(c), decrypt a telecommunication on that operator's public telecommunications network or telecommunications service if—

• (a) the content of that telecommunication has been encrypted; and

• (b) the network operator intercepting the telecommunication has provided that encryption.

(4) However, subsection (3) does not require a network operator to—

• (a) decrypt any telecommunication on that operator's public telecommunications network or telecommunications service if the encryption has been provided by means of a product that is—

  • (i) supplied by a person other than the operator and is available to the public; or

  • (ii) supplied by the operator as an agent for that product; and

• (b) ensure that a surveillance agency has the ability to decrypt any telecommunication.

(5) In subsection (1)(c), useable format means—

• (a) a format that is determined by a notice issued under section 40; or

• (b) a format that is acceptable to the network operator and the surveillance agency executing the interception warrant or other lawful interception authority.

(1) A network operator that is required by or under this subpart to ensure that a network or service is intercept ready—

• (a) must pre-deploy access points at suitable and sufficient concentration points on the network or service to allow an interception warrant or any other lawful interception authority relating to any of its customers to be given effect:

• (b) must reserve 1 or more network interfaces (that is, delivery ports) to which interception equipment can connect in order to deliver intercepted telecommunications to the surveillance agency; and

• (c) must reserve, for each reserved interface referred to in paragraph (b), sufficient bandwidth to deliver intercepted telecommunications content and call associated data to the relevant surveillance agency; and

• (d) when presented with an interception warrant or any other lawful interception authority must, free of charge,—

  • (i) provide a suitable access point in its public telecommunications network or service for interception equipment:

  • (ii) co-operate with authorised persons and allow them access to its premises:

  • (iii) provide sufficient environmentally controlled space to house the interception equipment or provide sufficient backhaul to a suitable location where the equipment can be housed:

• (e) must, when compliance with the Act is required to be tested, comply with paragraphs (a) to (d).

(2) A network operator referred to in section 13 or 14 is not eligible for reimbursement under section 100 if the network operator's network or service was intercept ready only.

A network operator that is required by or under this subpart to ensure that a network or service is intercept accessible must, when presented with an interception warrant or any other lawful interception authority, be willing and able to—

• (a) provide a suitable access point in its public telecommunications network or service for interception equipment:

• (b) co-operate with authorised persons and allow them access to its premises:

• (c) provide sufficient environmentally controlled space to house the interception equipment or provide sufficient backhaul to a suitable location where the equipment can be housed.

(1) Subsection (2) applies if—

• (a) a network operator makes and keeps a record of the number of customers it has each month; and

• (b) the network operator has an average of less than 4 000 customers over a 6-month period; and

• (c) the network operator has made and kept the record referred to in paragraph (a) for each month of the 6-month period referred to in paragraph (b); and

• (d) the network operator has notified the Registrar within 10 days after the last day of the 6-month period referred to in paragraph (b) of the matters described in paragraphs (b) and (c).

(2) If this section applies, the network operator—

• (a) does not have to comply with sections 9 and 10; but

• (b) must instead ensure that every public telecommunications network that the operator owns, controls, or operates, and every telecommunications service that the operator provides in New Zealand is intercept ready at all times.

(3) Subsection (2) continues to apply to the network operator as long as the network operator—

• (a) continues to make and keep a record of the number of customers it has each month; and

• (b) continues to maintain an average of less than 4 000 customers per month over each successive 6-month period.

(4) If the network operator referred to in subsection (2) subsequently has an average of 4 000 or more customers over a 6-month period (disqualifying 6 months),—

• (a) the exemption in subsection (2)(a) ceases to have effect on the date that is 6 months after the disqualifying 6 months; and

• (b) the network operator must comply with subsection (2)(b) until the date that the exemption ceases to have effect.

(5) This section is subject to section 19.

(6) The record referred to in subsection (1)(a) must be made on the same working day of each month (or the next available working day, if that is not practicable).

(1) A network operator does not have to comply with sections 9 and 10 in respect of any infrastructure-level service provided by the network operator.

(2) This section is subject to section 19.

(1) A network operator does not have to comply with sections 9 and 10 in respect of any wholesale network service provided by the network operator.

(2) A network operator who does not comply with sections 9 and 10 in respect of a wholesale network service provided by the network operator must ensure that the wholesale network service is intercept accessible.

(4) This section is subject to section 19.

(1) The purpose of sections 17 to 19 is to enable the Minister, on the application of a surveillance agency, to,—

• (a) in the case of a network or service that by the operation of section 13 or 15 is subject to a lower-level compliance duty, direct that the network or service or part of the network or service must instead be subject to a higher-level compliance duty:

• (b) direct that an infrastructure-level service or part of that service must be subject to a higher-level compliance duty.

(2) The following duties are ranked according to the level of interception capability that is required to fulfil the duty (with the duty set out in paragraph (a) being the highest level compliance duty):

• (a) the duty to comply with sections 9 and 10:

• (b) the duty to be intercept ready:

• (c) the duty to be intercept accessible.

(3) This overview is by way of explanation only. If any provision of this Part conflicts with this overview, the other provision prevails.

(1) A surveillance agency may make an application for a direction under section 19 only if the surveillance agency considers that the interception capability or lack of interception capability on a network or a service adversely affects national security or law enforcement.

(2) The surveillance agency must, when applying for a direction, notify the affected network operator in writing of the application and specify in the notice a time, which must be reasonable in the circumstances, within which submissions may be made to the Minister on the application.

(1) The affected network operator may make submissions to the Minister in relation to the application for direction within the time specified in the notice referred to in section 17(2).

(2) The Minister must consult with the responsible Ministers and the Minister for Communications and Information Technology.

(3) The matters that the Minister must take into account are—

• (a) whether the current level of interception capability on the affected network or service adversely affects national security or law enforcement; and

• (b) whether the cost of compliance would have a serious adverse effect on the business of the network operator; and

• (c) whether the new duties would unreasonably impair the provision of telecommunications services in New Zealand or competition in telecommunications markets or create barriers to the introduction of new or innovative technologies: and

• (d) any other matter that the Minister considers relevant in the circumstances.

(4) The Minister must give primacy to the matter described in subsection (3)(a).

(1) The Minister must not make a direction under this section unless the Minister—

• (a) has taken into account the views, if any, of the persons referred to in section 18(2) and the affected network operator; and

• (b) has taken into account the matters set out in section 18(3) and (4); and

• (c) is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the direction is necessary for reasons of national security or law enforcement or both.

(2) The Minister may,—

• (a) in the case of a network or service that under section 13 must be intercept ready, direct that the network or service or part of the network or service must instead comply with sections 9 and 10:

• (b) in the case of an infrastructure-level service that under section 14 does not have to comply with sections 9 and 10, direct that the service or part of that service must instead—

  • (i) be intercept accessible; or

  • (ii) be intercept ready; or

  • (iii) comply with sections 9 and 10:

• (c) in the case of a wholesale network service that by the operation of section 15 must be intercept accessible, direct that the service or part of the service must instead—

  • (i) be intercept ready; or

  • (ii) comply with sections 9 and 10.

(3) The Minister must issue the direction in writing to the affected network operator.

(3A) The Minister must specify in the direction a time, which must be reasonable in the circumstances, by which the network operator must comply with the direction.

(4) The reasons for the decision must be set out in the direction, except those parts of the reasons that would reveal classified information.

(5) The Minister must not delegate to any person, other than another Minister, the power to make a direction under this section.

(1) The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations—

• (a) requiring all or part of a specified class of network or service to which section 13 applies to comply with sections 9 and 10:

• (b) requiring all or part of a specified class of infrastructure-level service to which section 14 applies to—

  • (i) be intercept accessible; or

  • (ii) be intercept ready; or

  • (iii) comply with sections 9 and 10:

• (c) requiring all or part of a specified class of wholesale network services to which section 15 applies to—

  • (i) be intercept ready; or

  • (ii) comply with sections 9 and 10.

(2) The Minister must not recommend the making of regulations under subsection (1) unless the Minister—

• (aa) has consulted with the telecommunications industry in accordance with the process set out in subsection (3):

• (a) has taken account of the matters set out in section 18(3) and (4); and

• (b) has consulted with the responsible Ministers and the Minister for Communications and Information Technology; and

• (c) is satisfied that the commencement of the regulations allows for a reasonable time for compliance.

(3) The consultation process referred to in subclause (2)(aa) requires that the Minister—

• (a) publish, on an Internet site operated by the Ministry, a notice that—

  • (i) sets out the effect of the proposed regulations (proposal); and

  • (ii) invites submissions on the proposal to be made by a specified date; and

• (b) consider the submissions (if any) on the proposal.

A network operator is not required to have an interception capability on a telecommunication link that is used to interconnect 2 or more public telecommunications networks.

This Part does not authorise a surveillance agency or the Minister to—

• (a) require any person to adopt a specific design or feature for any network or service; or

• (b) prohibit any person from adopting any specific design or feature for any network or service.

A network operator that provides an infrastructure-level service must, despite anything to the contrary in any deed, contract, or other enactment or rule of law,—

• (a) ensure that the Registrar is advised of the names of all existing customers that purchase infrastructure-level services from the provider; and

• (b) ensure that the Registrar is advised of the names of any new customer—

  • (i) at least 10 working days before providing or activating the infrastructure-level service to the customer; or

  • (ii) if it is not reasonably practicable to comply with subparagraph (i), as soon as is reasonably practicable before providing or activating the infrastructure-level service to the customer.

(1) A surveillance agency to whom an interception warrant is issued, or any other lawful interception authority is granted, may, for the purpose of requiring assistance in the execution of the warrant or lawful authority, show to either or both of the persons referred to in subsection (2),—

• (a) in the case of an interception warrant issued to an intelligence and security agency, a copy of the relevant parts of the warrant; or

• (b) in any other case, a copy of the warrant or evidence of lawful authority.

(2) The persons are—

• (a) a network operator; or

• (b) a service provider.

(3) A person who is shown under subsection (1) a copy of an interception warrant or the relevant parts of the warrant, or evidence of any other lawful interception authority, must assist the surveillance agency by—

• (a) making available any of the person's officers, employees, or agents who are able to provide any reasonable technical assistance that may be necessary for the agency to intercept a telecommunication or otherwise give effect to the warrant or lawful authority; and

• (b) taking all other reasonable steps that are necessary for the purpose of giving effect to the warrant or lawful authority, including, but not limited to which may include, but are not limited to, assistance to—

  • (i) identify and intercept telecommunications without intercepting telecommunications that are not authorised to be intercepted under the warrant or lawful authority; and

  • (ii) obtain call associated data relating to telecommunications (other than telecommunications that are not authorised to be intercepted under the warrant or lawful authority); and

  • (iii) obtain call associated data and the content of telecommunications (other than telecommunications that are not authorised to be intercepted under the warrant or lawful authority) in a useable format; and

  • (iv) carry out the interception of telecommunications unobtrusively, without unduly interfering with any telecommunications, and in a manner that protects the privacy of telecommunications that are not authorised to be intercepted under the warrant or lawful authority; and

  • (v) undertake the actions referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (iv) efficiently and effectively and,—

    • (A) if it is reasonably achievable, at the time of transmission of the telecommunication; or

    • (B) if it is not reasonably achievable, as close as practicable to that time; and

  • (vi) decrypt telecommunications where the person has provided the encryption.

(3A) Subsection (3)(b)(vi) does not require the person to—

• (a) decrypt any telecommunication on that person's public telecommunications network or telecommunications service if the encryption has been provided by means of a product that is—

  • (i) supplied by the person as an agent for that product; or

  • (ii) supplied by another person and is available to the public; and

• (b) ensure that a surveillance agency has the ability to decrypt any telecommunication.

(4) A network operator or service provider must consult with the surveillance agency executing the warrant or lawful authority, regarding the most efficient way to undertake the decryption referred to in subsection (3)(b)(vi).

(5) For the purposes of this section, a network operator may intercept a telecommunication on behalf of a surveillance agency.

(7) In subsection (3)(b)(iii), useable format means—

• (a) the format determined by a notice issued under section 40; or

• (b) a format that is acceptable to—

  • (i) the network operator or service provider; and

  • (ii) the surveillance agency executing the warrant or lawful authority.

(8) Nothing in this section affects the application of the common law defence of foreign state compulsion to a service provider outside New Zealand.

(1) If—

• (a) a wholesaler is required under an interception warrant or any other lawful interception authority to provide another network operator (A) with an access point to the wholesaler's network; and

• (b) the wholesaler's assistance is sought because A did not comply with any obligation under this Part,—

the wholesaler may charge A, on a commercial basis, for any access, space, power, or any other thing or service that the wholesaler is required to provide for the purpose of giving effect to the warrant or lawful authority.

(1A) A designated officer may notify A in writing that the wholesaler is entitled to charge A under this section.

(2) In this section, wholesaler means a network operator who provides wholesale network services.

Every person who, under an interception warrant or any other lawful interception authority, intercepts or assists in the interception of a telecommunication must take all practicable steps that are reasonable in the circumstances to minimise the likelihood of intercepting telecommunications that are not authorised to be intercepted under the warrant or lawful authority.

(1) Nothing in this Act prevents network operators from co-ordinating, sharing, or contracting for services (whether equipment or staff) in order to meet the interception capability requirements in the Act.

(2) However, any arrangement referred to in subsection (1) does not affect any obligations that apply to a network operator and that have been imposed by or under this Act.

(1) Before a network operator enters into a contract or engages with any person for the provision of services to enable the network operator to comply with its obligations under this Part, the network operator must notify the Director in accordance with section 47, and comply with section 63.

(2) A network operator must ensure that any person that it enters into a contract or engages with for the provision of services to enable the network operator to comply with its obligations under this Part, complies with any applicable provisions of this Part.

(1) A designated officer may, in accordance with section 32,—

• (a) grant, subject to subsection (2), a network operator or class of network operators an exemption from all or any of the requirements of sections 9 and 10:

• (b) grant a network operator or class of network operators an exemption from all or any of the requirements of section 13 and, in relation to the requirement under that section that the network or service be intercept ready, from all or any of the requirements of section 11:

• (c) grant a network operator or a class of network operators an exemption from all or any of the requirements of section 23:

• (d) vary or revoke an exemption referred to in paragraph (a), (b), or (c).

(2) An exemption under subsection (1)(a) must not affect the requirements in section 10 that relate to the ability to protect the privacy of telecommunications that are not authorised to be intercepted under an interception warrant or any other lawful authority.

(3) An exemption under subsection (1)—

• (a) may, without limitation, apply to all or part of a specified service or network or class of service or network; and

• (b) may be subject to any terms and conditions specified by the designated officer.

(4) The designated officer may grant an exemption under subsection (1) with or without application from a network operator.

(1) A network operator may apply to a designated officer for an exemption or a variation or revocation of an exemption under section 29(1).

(2) The designated officer must notify the applicant of receipt of the application as soon as practicable.

(3) The designated officer must advise the applicant of the decision as soon as practicable and no later than 20 working days after receipt of the application.

(4) The designated officer may extend the time referred to in subsection (3) if—

• (a) the application relates to multiple services; or

• (b) the application raises new or complex technical or legal issues; or

• (c) responding within that time would cause unreasonable interference with the operations of a surveillance agency.

(5) If subsection (4) applies, the designated officer must—

• (a) extend the time referred to in subsection (3) to a date not later than 3 months after receipt of the application, or to any later date to which the designated officer and the applicant have agreed; and

• (b) give the applicant a notice of extension within 20 working days of receiving the application.

(6) The notice of extension must set out the reasons for the extension and the new time by which the designated officer must respond.

(1) The effect of an application under section 29(1) is that, from the date that receipt of the application is notified, to the date that the decision on the application is notified,—

• (a) in the case of an application for exemption, the applicant is treated as being exempt from the obligation for which the exemption is sought; or

• (b) in the case of an application to vary an exemption, the exemption is treated as being in force as varied.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an applicant if—

• (a) the designated officer considers, on reasonable grounds, that the applicant is persistently or repeatedly seeking the same or a similar exemption or variation in relation to the same matter, or seeking the same outcome, despite the application being refused; and

• (b) the designated officer has notified the applicant accordingly.

(1) The designated officer must, when considering whether to grant, vary, or revoke an exemption under section 29(1), take account of all the following matters:

• (a) national security or law enforcement interests; and

• (b) the number of customers or end-users of the relevant network or service; and

• (c) the cost of compliance with the obligation for which an exemption is sought; and

• (d) whether compliance could be achieved appropriately by another means; and

• (e) any other matter that the designated officer considers relevant in the circumstances.

(2) The designated officer must, when taking account of the matters set out in subsection (1), give primacy to subsection (1)(a).

(3) The designated officer must consult each of the surveillance agencies, as well the applicant (if any), on the proposed decision.

(4) The reasons for the decision must be set out in the decision, except those parts of the reasons that would reveal classified information.

(5) The designated officer must issue a written notice of the decision to the applicant or, in the case of a class exemption, to the class of network operators who are affected by the decision.

(6) An exemption applying to a class of network operators that is granted, varied, or revoked under section 29 is not a disallowable instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012 and does not have to be presented to the House of Representatives under section 41 of that Act.

(1) A network operator whose application for an exemption or variation of an exemption has been wholly or partly declined, or whose exemption has been or is to be revoked, may apply to the Minister for a decision.

(2) An application to the Minister must be made within 20 working days after the date on which the designated officer's decision on the application is issued, or the exemption is to be revoked.

(3) The Minister must notify receipt of the application as soon as practicable.

(4) An application to the Minister must not be materially different from the original application.

(1) The Minister may, in accordance with section 33B,—

• (a) grant, subject to subsection (2), a network operator or class of network operators an exemption from all or any of the requirements of sections 9 and 10:

• (b) grant a network operator or class of network operators an exemption from all or any of the requirements of section 13 and, in relation to the requirement under that section that the network or service be intercept ready, from all or any of the requirements of section 11:

• (c) grant a network operator or a class of network operators an exemption from all or any of the requirements of section 23:

• (d) vary or revoke an exemption referred to in paragraph (a), (b), or (c).

(2) An exemption under subsection (1)(a) must not affect the requirements in section 10 that relate to the ability to protect the privacy of telecommunications that are not authorised to be intercepted under an interception warrant or any other lawful authority.

(3) An exemption under subsection (1)—

• (a) may, without limitation, apply to all or part of a specified service or network or class of service or network; and

• (b) may be subject to any terms and conditions specified by the Minister.

(1) The effect of an application under section 32A is that from the date that the designated officer's decision is issued under section 32(5) to the date that the Minister's decision on the application is notified—

• (a) in the case of an application for exemption, the applicant is treated as being exempt from the obligation for which the exemption is sought; or

• (b) in the case of an application to vary an exemption, the exemption is treated as being in force as varied.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an applicant if—

• (a) the Minister considers, on reasonable grounds, that the applicant is persistently or repeatedly seeking the same or a similar exemption or variation in relation to the same matter, or seeking the same outcome, despite the application being refused; and

• (b) the Minister has notified the applicant accordingly.

(1) The Minister must consult the responsible Ministers and the Minister for Communications and Information Technology before making a decision on the application.

(2) The Minister must decide the application as soon as is practicable.

(3) The Minister must, when considering whether to grant, vary, or revoke an exemption, take account of the following matters:

• (a) national security or law enforcement interests; and

• (b) the number of customers or end-users of the relevant network or service; and

• (c) the cost of compliance with the obligation for which an exemption is sought; and

• (d) whether compliance could be achieved appropriately by another means; and

• (e) any other matter that the Minister considers relevant in the circumstances.

(4) The Minister must, when taking account of the matters set out in subsection (3), give primacy to subsection (3)(a).

(5) The reasons for the decision must be set out in the decision, except those parts of the reasons that would reveal classified information.

(6) The Minister must issue a written notice of the decision to the applicant or, in the case of a class exemption, to the class of network operators who are affected by the decision.

(7) An exemption applying to a class of network operators that is granted, varied, or revoked under section 33 is not a disallowable instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012 and does not have to be presented to the House of Representatives under section 41 of that Act.

(1) The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations—

• (a) granting, subject to subsection (2), a class of network operators an exemption from all or any of the requirements of sections 9 and 10:

• (b) granting a class of network operators an exemption from all or any of the requirements of section 13 and, in relation to the requirement under that section that the network or service be intercept ready, from all or any of the requirements of section 11:

• (c) granting a class of network operators an exemption from all or any of the requirements of section 23.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1)(a) must not affect the requirements in section 10 that relate to the ability to protect the privacy of telecommunications that are not authorised to be intercepted under an interception warrant or any other lawful authority.

(3) Regulations under subsection (1) may, without limitation, apply to all or part of a specified service or network or class of service or network.

(4) The Minister must not recommend the making of regulations under subsection (1) unless the Minister has—

• (a) taken account of the matters set out in sections 33B(3) and (4); and

• (b) consulted the responsible Ministers and the Minister for Communications and Information Technology.

(1) The Minister may, at the application of a surveillance agency in accordance with this section, direct that a telecommunications service provider—

• (a) comply with one of the following duties:

  • (i) the duty to comply with sections 9 and 10:

  • (ii) the duty to be intercept ready:

  • (iii) the duty to be intercept accessible; and

• (b) be treated as having the same obligations and rights as a network operator under this Part (except for sections 13 to 20, and 23) and Parts 1 and 4.

(2) A surveillance agency may make an application for a ministerial direction under this section only if—

• (a) the surveillance agency considers that lack of interception capability on the telecommunications service offered by that provider adversely affects national security or law enforcement; and

• (b) at the time of application, 1 or more telecommunications service offered by that provider is a service over which the surveillance agency could lawfully execute an interception warrant or any other lawful interception authority.

(3) The surveillance agency must, when applying for a ministerial direction, notify the affected service provider in writing that it is applying for a direction under this section and specify in the notice a time, which must be reasonable in the circumstances, within which submissions may be made to the Minister on the application.

(4) The affected service provider may make submissions to the Minister on the application.

(5) The Minister must consult with the responsible Ministers and the Minister for Communications and Information Technology.

(6) The Minister must not make a direction unless—

• (a) the Minister has taken into account the views, if any, of the Ministers referred to in subsection (5) and the affected service provider; and

• (b) the Minister has taken account of the matters set out in subsection (7); and

• (c) the Minister is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the direction is necessary for reasons of national security or law enforcement, or both.

(7) The matters that the Minister must take into account are—

• (a) whether the current level of interception capability on any services provided by the affected service provider adversely affects national security or law enforcement; and

• (b) whether the cost of compliance would have a serious adverse effect on the business of the affected service provider; and

• (c) whether the new duties would unreasonably impair the provision of telecommunications services in New Zealand or competition in telecommunications markets or create barriers to the introduction of new or innovative technologies; and

• (d) any other matter that the Minister considers relevant in the circumstances.

(8) The Minister must give primacy to the matter described in subsection (7)(a).

(9) The Minister must not delegate to any person, other than another Minister, the power to make a direction under this section.

(1) If a direction is made under section 35, the affected service provider may request a review of the Minister’s decision.

(2) On receiving a request for review, the Minister must appoint 3 suitably qualified persons to form a review panel.

(2A) In subsection (2), a person is suitably qualified if the person—

• (a) has experience in—

  • (i) telecommunications technology; or

  • (ii) national security or law enforcement; or

  • (iii) competition in telecommunications markets; or

  • (iv) international relations or international law; and

• (b) does not have any conflict of interest in relation to the direction; and

• (c) has or is able to obtain an appropriate security clearance.

(3) The review panel must—

• (a) review all relevant submissions made to the Minister, and take into account all other relevant information; and

• (b) make recommendations to the Minister on whether the service provider should be treated as a network operator.

(4) The Minister must, after considering the recommendations of the review panel, vary, confirm, or revoke the direction.

(5) A summary of the review panel’s recommendations and reasons must be provided to the affected service provider, except those parts of the reasons that would reveal classified information.

(1) If the Minister makes a direction under section 35, a written notice of the direction must be provided to the affected service provider together with reasons, except those parts of the reasons that would reveal classified information.

(2) The direction—

• (a) must state which of the duties referred to in section 35(1)(a) that the affected service provider must comply with; and

• (aa) must specify a time, which must be reasonable in the circumstances, by which the duty or duties must be complied with; and

• (b) may be subject to any terms and conditions specified by the Minister.

(3) The effect of the direction is that this Part (except for sections 13 to 20, and 23) and Parts 1 and 4 apply to the affected service provider as if the service provider were a network operator under this Act.

(4) The Minister may, after consulting the Ministers referred to in section 35(5), revoke the direction at any time.

(1) The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations specifying that a class of service providers must—

• (a) comply with one of the following duties:

  • (i) the duty to comply with sections 9 and 10:

  • (ii) the duty to be intercept ready:

  • (iii) the duty to be intercept accessible; and

• (b) be treated as having the same obligations and rights as a network operator under this Part (except for sections 13 to 20, and 23) and Parts 1 and 4.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) may, without limitation, apply to all or part of a telecommunications service or class of telecommunications service.

(3) The Minister must not recommend the making of regulations under subsection (1) unless the Minister—

• (aa) has consulted the telecommunications industry in accordance with the process set out in subsection (3A); and

• (a) has taken account of the matters set out in section 35(7) and (8); and

• (b) has consulted with the Ministers referred to in section 35(5).

(3A) The consultation process referred to in subsection (3)(aa) requires that the Minister—

• (a) publish, on an Internet site operated by the Ministry, a notice that—

  • (i) sets out the effect of the proposed regulations (proposal); and

  • (ii) invites submissions on the proposal to be made by a specified date; and

• (b) consider the submissions (if any) on the proposal.

(4) The effect of the regulations is that this Part (except for sections 13 to 20, and 23) and Parts 1 and 4 apply to a service provider falling within a class specified in the regulations, as if the service provider were a network operator under this Act.

(1) This section applies to any telecommunications services that are provided from outside New Zealand and resold in New Zealand by a network operator.

(2) The Minister may, on the application of a surveillance agency, and after taking into account the matters in subsections (2A) and (2B), direct that a service to which this section applies must not or must no longer be provided or supplied in New Zealand if the Minister is satisfied the direction is necessary to address a significant risk to national security or law enforcement.

(2A) The matters that the Minister must take into account are—

• (a) national security or law enforcement interests; and

• (b) the cost to, and impact on, the network operator; and

• (c) the effect on competition or innovation in telecommunications markets; and

• (d) any other matter that the Minister considers relevant.

(2B) The Minister must, when taking into account the matters set out in subsection (2A), give primacy to (2A)(a).

(3) A surveillance agency must—

• (a) notify the affected network operator in writing that it has applied for a direction under this section; and

• (b) specify in the notice a time, that is reasonable in the circumstances, within which the network operator may make submissions to the Minister.

(4) An application by the surveillance agency must include the reasons why the agency considers the interception capability or lack of interception capability on the service gives rise to a significant risk to national security or law enforcement.

(5) The network operator may make submissions to the Minister, but must make them by the date specified in the notice referred to in subsection (3).

(6) The Minister must consult with the responsible Ministers, the Minister for Communications and Information Technology, and the Minister of Trade.

(7) The Minister must take into account the views, if any, of affected network operators and those of the Ministers referred to in subsection (6).

(8) The Minister must issue the direction in writing to the affected network operator together with reasons except those parts of the reasons that would reveal classified information.

(8A) The time or times by which the network operator must comply with the requirements of the direction must be specified in the direction and must be reasonable in the circumstances.

(9) The direction may be subject to any terms and conditions specified by the Minister.

(10) The Minister may, after consulting the Ministers referred to in subsection (6), revoke the direction at any time.

(11) The Minister must not delegate to any person, other than another Minister, the power to make a direction under this section.

(1) The Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, determine the format in which call associated data and the content of a telecommunication must be able to be obtained under an interception warrant or any other lawful interception authority.

(1A) Before making a determination under subsection (1), the Minister must consult the telecommunications industry by—

• (a) publishing, on an Internet site operated by the Ministry, a notice that—

  • (i) sets out the effect of the proposed notice (proposal); and

  • (ii) invites submissions on the proposal to be made by a specified date; and

• (b) considering the submissions (if any) on the proposal.

(2) The notice may incorporate by reference all or part of any standard, specification, or requirement that is published by or on behalf of any body or person in any country, including any standard from the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.

(3) The notice is a disallowable instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012 and must be presented to the House of Representatives under section 41 of that Act.

(1) This section applies if—

• (a) a network operator has an interception capability that conforms with a standard, specification, or requirement that has been incorporated by reference under section 40(2); and

• (b) that standard, specification, or requirement is later amended or replaced.

(2) If this section applies, the network operator is not under any duty to ensure the interception capability conforms to any changes to, or replacement of, the standard, specification, or requirement so long as the network operator ensures that the interception capability continues to conform to the earlier standard, specification, or requirement.

A public telecommunications network or a telecommunications service that immediately before the commencement of this Act complied with section 8(1)(c) of the Telecommunications (Interception Capability) Act 2004 by obtaining the call associated data and the content of telecommunications in a format that was able to be used by a surveillance agency—

• (a) is not subject to section 10(5)(a) or 24(7)(a) of this Act; and

• (b) may continue to use the format that it used immediately before the commencement of this Act for the purpose of section 10(1)(c) or 24(3)(b)(iii) of this Act.

(1) A person that is, on the commencement of this section, a network operator must be registered on the register within 3 months after that commencement.

(2) A person that, after the commencement of this section, becomes a network operator must be registered on the register within 3 months after the person becomes a network operator.

An application for registration must—

• (a) be made to the Registrar; and

• (b) contain the information specified in section 57; and

• (c) be accompanied by a certificate signed by the chief executive of the network operator confirming that the information contained in the application is true and correct; and

• (d) otherwise be made in the form or manner required by the Registrar.

(1) The information referred to in section 56(b) is as follows (to the extent that the information is applicable):

• (a) the name of the network operator:

• (b) the name and contact details of a suitable employee of the network operator who will be responsible for dealing with issues raised by a surveillance agency relating to interception capability or an interception warrant or any other lawful interception authority:

• (c) the name and contact details of a suitable employee of the network operator who will be responsible for dealing with issues raised by the Director relating to network security:

• (d) the total number of the network operator's customers:

• (e) in the case of a network operator that offers retail services, an estimate of the total number of end-users across all telecommunications services and all public telecommunications networks:

• (f) the total number of connections for wholesale network services:

• (g) the geographical coverage of the network operator's telecommunications services and public telecommunications networks (for example, by reference to the name of a region or to national coverage):

• (ga) the particulars of any outsourcing arrangement (including the date of the arrangement, the names of the parties to it, and its general nature):

• (h) the types of telecommunications services provided by the network operator (for example, mobile, email, or Voice over Internet Protocol services):

• (i) an address for service of notices under this Act:

• (j) whether the network operator is subject to—

  • (i) the duty to comply with sections 9 and 10; or

  • (ii) the duty to be intercept ready; or

  • (iii) the duty to be intercept accessible.

(2) The information specified in this section must be prepared as at the date of the application (or, in the case of an annual update, as at the date of that update).

(1) The Commissioner of Police must establish a register of network operators (the register).

(2) The Registrar must maintain the register.

The purpose of the register is to assist any surveillance agency in the exercise or performance of its powers, functions, or duties under this Act.

The register must contain—

• (a) the information referred to in section 57 in relation to each network operator:

• (b) the information provided to the Registrar under section 23 (which relates to infrastructure-level services).

(1) The register may be kept as an electronic register or in any other manner that the Registrar thinks fit.

(2) The register must be available for access and searching by surveillance agencies (including by any employee or other person acting on behalf of a surveillance agency) at all times unless suspended under subsection (4).

(3) The register is not available for access or searching by any person other than a designated officer or a surveillance agency (or any employee or other person acting on its behalf).

(4) The Registrar may refuse access to the register or suspend its operation, in whole or in part, if the Registrar considers that it is not practical to provide access to the register.

(1) The Registrar must take reasonable steps to ensure that the register is not available for access or searching by any person other than a designated officer or a surveillance agency (or any employee or other person acting on its behalf).

(2) This section and section 61 do not limit the Official Information Act 1982.

(1) A network operator must give to the Registrar written notice of any relevant change no later than 20 working days before the change takes effect.

(2) However, if it is not reasonably practicable to comply with subsection (1), the network operator must give to the Registrar written notice of the relevant change as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(3) A network operator must give to the Registrar written notice of a threshold change no later than 10 working days after the date on which the change was identified, or ought reasonably to have been identified, by the operator.

(4) In this section,—

(1) A network operator must give to the Registrar each year in November an annual update of information on the register relating to that operator.

(2) The annual update must—

• (a) specify any changes to the information referred to in section 57 that have occurred since the network operator last gave information to the Registrar (whether in a notice under section 63, the previous annual update, or an application under section 56); and

• (b) confirm that, apart from the changes under paragraph (a), all other information referred to in section 57 that is currently held by the Registrar remains correct; and

• (c) be in the form (if any) required by the Registrar; and

• (d) be accompanied by a certificate signed by the chief executive of the network operator confirming that the information contained in the annual update is true and correct.

(3) An annual update does not need to be provided in the year during which this section comes into force.

The Registrar may remove a person from the register if the Registrar is satisfied that the person has—

• (a) ceased to exist; or

• (b) ceased to have the obligations of a network operator under this Act; or

• (c) otherwise ceased to be a network operator.

The Registrar may amend the register if—

• (a) a notice under section 63 or an annual update contains information that is different from the information entered on the register:

• (b) a network operator informs the Registrar of information that is different from the information entered on the register:

• (c) the Registrar is satisfied at any time that the register contains an error or a mistake or omits information given to the Registrar.

(1) The Commissioner of Police must, by notice in the Gazette, appoint 1 or more suitable persons as designated officers for the purposes of this Act.

(2) A copy of the notice under subsection (1) must be published on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the New Zealand Police.

(1) The Commissioner of Police must, by notice in the Gazette, appoint one of the designated officers as the Registrar of network operators.

(2) A copy of the notice under subsection (1) must be published on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the New Zealand Police.

(1) The Registrar or any other designated officer may delegate to any person, either generally or particularly, any of the Registrar’s or other designated officer's functions, duties, and powers except the power of delegation.

(2) A delegation—

• (a) must be in writing; and

• (b) may be made subject to any restrictions and conditions the Registrar or designated officer thinks fit; and

• (c) is revocable at any time, in writing; and

• (d) does not prevent the performance or exercise of a function, duty, or power by the Registrar or designated officer.

(3) A person to whom any functions, duties, or powers are delegated may perform and exercise them in the same manner and with the same effect as if they had been conferred directly by this Act and not by delegation.

(4) A person who appears to act under a delegation is presumed to be acting in accordance with its terms in the absence of evidence to the contrary.

(1) A network operator must, within 10 working days after being required to do so under subsection (2), (3), or (4),—

• (a) nominate a suitable employee to apply for a secret-level government-sponsored security clearance (a clearance); and

• (b) notify the employee of the nomination; and

• (c) give written notice of the name and contact details of that employee to the Registrar.

(2) A designated officer may, by written notice served on a network operator, require the operator to comply with subsection (1) unless section 13 applies.

(3) If a network operator is notified that an application under section 71 has been declined or that an application has not been made within the time referred to in section 71(2), the network operator must comply again with subsection (1) (to nominate another employee).

(4) If a network operator is notified that its employee's clearance has expired or been revoked for any reason, the network operator must comply again with subsection (1) (to re-nominate the same employee (unless his or her clearance was revoked) or to nominate another employee).

(1) A designated officer must, by written notice served on the employee nominated under section 70, specify the manner in which the employee must apply for a clearance.

(2) The employee must, within 10 working days after being notified under subsection (1), apply for the clearance.

(1) If a designated officer considers it necessary or desirable for any specified purpose, the designated officer may, by written notice served on any network operator, require the operator—

• (a) to supply to the designated officer or a surveillance agency any information or class of information specified in the notice; or

• (b) to produce to the designated officer or a surveillance agency, or to a person specified in the notice acting on the agency's behalf, any document or class of documents specified in the notice; or

• (c) if necessary, to reproduce, or assist in reproducing, in usable form, information recorded or stored in any document or class of documents specified in the notice.

(2) In subsection (1), specified purpose means the purpose of assisting any surveillance agency to do 1 or more of the following:

• (a) enforce compliance with the duties under this Act relating to interception capability:

• (b) execute an interception warrant or any other lawful interception authority:

• (c) otherwise perform or exercise any of its functions, powers, or duties under this Act in relation to interception capability or an interception warrant or any other lawful interception authority.

(3) A network operator must comply with the notice in the manner specified in the notice.

(4) A designated officer may exercise the power under subsection (1) at the request of a surveillance agency (in which case, the officer must promptly supply information or documents obtained under subsection (1) to the surveillance agency).

(1) If the Director considers it necessary or desirable for any specified purpose, the Director may, by written notice served on any network operator, require the operator—

• (a) to supply to the Director any information or class of information specified in the notice; or

• (b) to produce to the Director, or to a person specified in the notice acting on his or her behalf, any document or class of documents specified in the notice; or

• (c) if necessary, to reproduce, or assist in reproducing, in usable form, information recorded or stored in any document or class of documents specified in the notice.

(2) In subsection (1), specified purpose means the purpose of—

• (a) enforcing compliance with the duties under this Act relating to network security; or

• (b) otherwise performing or exercising any of the Director's functions, powers, or duties under this Act in relation to network security.

(3) A network operator must comply with the notice in the manner specified in the notice.

A network operator must comply with a notice under section 72 or 73 as soon as practicable after receiving the notice, but in any event not later than—

• (a) 20 working days after the date of the notice; or

• (b) a later time that is specified in the notice.

(1) A network operator must comply with a notice under section 72 or 73 despite anything to the contrary in any deed or contract or any other enactment.

(2) A network operator must comply with a notice under section 72 or 73 even if compliance involves—

• (a) the disclosure of commercially sensitive information; or

• (b) a breach of an obligation of confidence.

(3) However, every person has the same privileges in relation to providing information and documents under section 72 or 73 as witnesses have in proceedings before a court.

(1) Information supplied in response to a notice under section 72(1)(a) or 73(1)(a) must be—

• (a) given in writing; and

• (b) accompanied by a certificate that confirms that, to the best of the network operator's knowledge, the information supplied complies with requirements of the notice.

(2) If a document is produced in response to a notice under section 72 or 73, a surveillance agency referred to in section 72(4) or the Director (as the case may be), or the person to whom the document is produced, may—

• (a) inspect and make records of that document; and

• (b) take copies of the document or extracts from the document.

(3) Nothing in section 72 or 73 permits a designated officer or the Director to require a network operator to supply, produce, reproduce, or assist in reproducing any information or document that could have been obtained, or should have been sought, under an interception warrant or other lawful interception authority.

(1) If a designated officer considers it necessary or desirable for the purposes of assisting a surveillance agency to perform or exercise any of its functions, powers, or duties under Part 2, the officer may, by written notice served on a network operator, require the operator to test its equipment and procedures to—

• (a) ensure that the equipment and procedures comply with the duties that apply to the operator by or under Part 2; and

• (b) identify any deficiencies in the equipment and procedures in terms of that compliance.

(2) The notice may specify various times for completing the testing in stages and a final date for completing the testing.

(3) Each of those times must be reasonable in the circumstances and must be set after having regard to any submissions made under section 78(1)(b).

(4) The network operator must comply with the notice within the time or times and in the manner specified in the notice.

(1) A designated officer must, before serving a notice under section 77,—

• (a) serve on the network operator written notice stating—

  • (i) that the officer may exercise a power under section 77; and

  • (ii) the telecommunications service to which the notice under section 77 may relate; and

  • (iii) the reasons why the officer is considering exercising that power; and

• (b) give to the network operator an opportunity to make written submissions relating to the time or times within which the operator must carry out the testing under a notice under section 77.

(2) A designated officer must serve the notice under subsection (1) at least 10 working days before it serves a notice under section 77.

(1) A designated officer may, by written notice served on a network operator, require a chief executive of the operator to certify that, after due inquiry, the chief executive is satisfied as to 1 or more of the following:

• (a) that adequate resources have been allocated by the operator to secure compliance with its duties under Part 2:

• (b) that the operator maintains and operates interception capability in compliance with this Act:

• (c) that the operator is otherwise complying with Part 2.

(2) If a chief executive is unable to give the certification because the chief executive is not satisfied as referred to in subsection (1), the chief executive must, instead of giving the certification, give written notice to the designated officer of the reasons for being unable to give the certification (including details of any failure to comply with this Act and whether the operator has applied for, or intends to apply for, an exemption under subpart 4 of Part 2).

(3) The certification (or notice under subsection (2)) must be given within the time and in the manner specified in the notice under subsection (1).

(4) The time specified in the notice under subsection (1) must be reasonable in the circumstances.

(1) A chief executive who is required to make due inquiry about a matter under section 79 does not fail to do so if—

• (a) he or she receives information or advice about the matter from another person who he or she believes on reasonable grounds is reliable and competent; and

• (b) the information or advice received—

  • (i) is of the same kind and standard as that which could reasonably be expected to be supplied in the ordinary course of management of businesses of the same kind to persons in the same kind of position; and

  • (ii) does not state or indicate that further information, advice, or investigation is or may be required; and

• (c) he or she has no reason to believe that the information or advice is or may be incorrect.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) limits the ways in which a chief executive may make due inquiry about a matter.

A designated officer may give any information obtained under this subpart to a surveillance agency.

In this subpart,—

• (a) a non-compliance with this Act is minor if it consists of a failure to comply with any of sections 23, 28, 47, 49(3), 55, 56, 63, 64, 70, 71(2), 72 to 76, 77(4), and 79; and

• (b) a non-compliance with this Act is serious if it consists of a failure to comply with any of sections 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 24, 26, 39, 51, 54, and 83(4).

(1) This section applies if a surveillance agency considers on reasonable grounds that—

• (a) a person (A) has not complied with any of the duties under this Act; and

• (b) the non-compliance is minor.

(2) The surveillance agency may serve a notice on A under this section (a breach notice) that requires A, within the time and in the manner specified in the notice, to comply with the duties referred to in subsection (1)(a).

(3) The breach notice must identify the duties that have not been complied with.

(4) A must comply with the breach notice within the time and in the manner specified in the notice (and a failure to so comply is serious).

(5) The time specified in the breach notice must be reasonable in the circumstances.

(1) This section applies if a breach notice relates to a failure to comply with a duty under Part 2.

(2) A breach notice may request a network operator to consent to the surveillance agency entering a relevant place for the purpose of gathering evidence relating to the failure referred to in subsection (1) by—

• (a) inspecting and making records of information, documents, or equipment that is related to the network operator's duties under Part 2; and

• (b) taking copies of those documents or extracts from those documents.

(3) If a breach notice contains a request under subsection (2), the notice must also—

• (a) advise the network operator of the reason for the request; and

• (b) advise the network operator that the evidence that is gathered may be admissible in proceedings relating to the failure referred to in subsection (1); and

• (c) advise the network operator that it may either consent to the request or refuse to consent to the request.

(4) If the network operator consents to the request, the surveillance agency (including any employee or other person acting on its behalf) may carry out an entry, an inspection, and any other action referred to in subsection (2) in accordance with the terms of the consent.

(5) In this section, relevant place means a place—

• (a) that is owned, occupied, or controlled by the network operator; and

• (b) that the surveillance agency believes on reasonable grounds contains information, documents, or equipment that is related to the network operator's duties under Part 2.

(1) This section applies if a surveillance agency considers on reasonable grounds that—

• (a) a person has a duty under this Act; and

• (b) the person has not complied with that duty; and

• (c) the non-compliance is serious.

(2) The surveillance agency may serve a notice on a person under this section (an enforcement notice) to inform that person that the surveillance agency—

• (a) is satisfied that the person has not complied with the duties specified in the notice and that the non-compliance is serious; and

• (b) may make an application to the High Court under this subpart on or after a specified date.

(1) A surveillance agency may apply to the High Court for an order under section 87 or 92 (or both) only if—

• (a) it has given an enforcement notice; and

• (b) the application is made on or after the date specified under section 85(2)(b).

(1A) However, a surveillance agency may apply to the High Court for an order under section 92 in relation to a contravention of a compliance order without complying with subsection (1).

(2) No person other than a surveillance agency (or an employee or other person acting on its behalf) may make an application for an order under section 87 or 92.

(1) If a person has not complied with any of the duties under this Act and the non-compliance is serious, the High Court may, for either or both of the purposes specified in subsection (2), make a compliance order requiring that person—

• (a) to do any specified thing; or

• (b) to cease any specified activity.

(2) The purposes are—

• (a) to remedy, mitigate, or avoid any adverse effects arising or likely to arise from, any non-compliance with the duties referred to in subsection (1):

• (b) to prevent any further non-compliance with those duties.

(3) A compliance order may be made on the terms and conditions that the High Court thinks fit, including the provision of security or the entry into a bond for performance.

Before deciding an application for a compliance order, the High Court must—

• (a) hear the applicant; and

• (b) hear any person against whom the order is sought who wishes to be heard.

After considering an application for a compliance order, the High Court may—

• (a) make a compliance order under section 87; or

• (b) refuse the application.

(1) A party to a proceeding relating to an application for a compliance order or any other person prejudicially affected may, with the leave of the Court of Appeal, appeal to that court if the High Court—

• (a) has made or refused to make a compliance order; or

• (b) has otherwise finally determined or has dismissed the proceedings.

(2) On an appeal to the Court of Appeal under this section, the Court of Appeal has the same power to adjudicate on the proceedings as the High Court had.

Except where the Court of Appeal otherwise directs,—

• (a) the operation of a compliance order is not suspended by an appeal under section 90; and

• (b) every compliance order may be enforced in the same manner and in all respects as if that appeal were not pending.

(1) This section applies if the High Court is satisfied, on the application of a surveillance agency, that a person—

• (a) has not complied with any of the duties under this Act and that the non-compliance is serious; or

• (b) has acted in contravention of a compliance order.

(2) The court may order the person to pay to the Crown any pecuniary penalty that the court determines to be appropriate.

(3) Proceedings under this section may be commenced within 3 years after the matter giving rise to the contravention was discovered or ought reasonably to have been discovered.

(1) The amount of any pecuniary penalty under section 92 must not exceed $500,000.

(2) In the case of a continuing contravention of a compliance order, the High Court may, in addition to any pecuniary penalty ordered to be paid under section 92, impose a further penalty of $50,000 for each day or part of a day during which the contravention continues.

In determining an appropriate pecuniary penalty, the High Court must have regard to all relevant matters, including—

• (a) the purposes of this Act; and

• (b) the nature and extent of the contravention; and

• (c) the nature and extent of any loss or damage suffered by any person, or gains made or losses avoided by the person in contravention, because of the contravention; and

• (d) the circumstances in which the contravention took place; and

• (e) whether or not the person in contravention has previously been found by the court in proceedings under this Act, or any other enactment, to have engaged in any similar conduct.

(1) The proceedings under this subpart are civil proceedings, and the usual rules of court and rules of evidence and procedure for civil proceedings apply (including the standard of proof).

(2) This section is subject to subpart 8.

This subpart applies to any proceedings in a court relating to the administration or enforcement of this Act.

(1) In this subpart, classified security information means information—

• (a) that is relevant to any proceedings in a court that relate to the administration or enforcement of this Act (or to any intended proceedings); and

• (b) that is held by a surveillance agency; and

• (c) that the head of the surveillance agency certifies in writing cannot be disclosed except to the extent provided in this subpart because, in the opinion of the head of the surveillance agency,—

  • (i) the information is information of a kind specified in subsection (2); and

  • (ii) disclosure of the information would be disclosure of a kind specified in subsection (3).

(2) Information falls within subsection (1)(c)(i) if it—

• (a) might lead to the identification of, or provide details of, the source of the information, the nature, content, or scope of the information, or the nature or type of the assistance or operational methods available to the surveillance agency; or

• (b) is about particular operations that have been undertaken, or are being or are proposed to be undertaken, in relation to any of the functions of the surveillance agency; or

• (c) has been provided to the surveillance agency by the government of another country or by an agency of a government of another country or by an international organisation, and is information that cannot be disclosed by the surveillance agency because the government or agency or organisation by which the information has been provided will not consent to the disclosure.

(3) Disclosure of information falls within subsection (1)(c)(ii) if the disclosure would be likely—

• (a) to prejudice the security or defence of New Zealand or the international relations of the Government of New Zealand; or

• (b) to prejudice the entrusting of information to the Government of New Zealand on a basis of confidence by the government of another country or any agency of such a government, or by any international organisation; or

• (c) to prejudice the maintenance of the law, including the prevention, investigation, and detection of offences, and the right to a fair trial; or

• (d) to endanger the safety of any person.

(4) In this subpart,—

(1) The Crown must, after proceedings are commenced, provide the court with access to the classified security information that is relevant to those proceedings.

(2) If a special advocate is appointed before proceedings are commenced, the Crown must provide the court with access to the classified security information that is relevant to the intended proceedings.

(3) The court must keep confidential and must not disclose any information provided as classified security information, even if it considers that the information does not meet the criteria set out in section 96(2) and (3), unless the head of the surveillance agency that holds the information consents to its release.

(4) Subsection (3) applies both during and after completion of the proceedings.

(1) The court may, in order to comply with section 96A(3), make 1 or more of the following orders:

• (a) an order forbidding publication of any report or account of the whole or any part of the evidence adduced or the submissions made in the proceedings:

• (b) an order forbidding the publication of the name of any witness or witnesses, or any name or particulars likely to lead to the identification of any witness or witnesses:

• (c) an order forbidding the publication of classified security information or information about classified security information:

• (d) an order excluding any person from the whole or any part of the court's proceedings, including—

  • (i) the non-Crown party or the non-Crown party's representative; or

  • (iii) staff of the court.

(2) An order made under subsection (1)—

• (a) may be made for a limited period or permanently; and

• (b) if it is made for a limited period, may be renewed for a further period or periods by the court; and

• (c) if it is made permanently, may be reviewed by the court at any time.

(1) This section applies if—

• (a) it appears to a court that—

  • (i) a person (the intended party) is or may be entitled to commence proceedings to which this subpart will or may apply but it is necessary for a special advocate to be appointed before the proceedings can be commenced; and

  • (ii) the intended party has notified the Crown that the party intends to commence those proceedings and that the party will apply for the appointment of a special advocate; or

• (b) proceedings have been commenced and information presented, or proposed to be presented, in those proceedings includes classified security information; or

• (c) proceedings have been commenced but the non-Crown party’s claim cannot be fully particularised without the non-Crown party being able to consider classified security information.

(2) The court may, on the application of an intended party or non-Crown party, appoint a barrister or solicitor as a special advocate to represent the intended party’s or the non-Crown party's interests on the terms that the court may direct if the court is satisfied that it is necessary to do so in order to ensure either or both of the following:

• (a) that the intended party can properly prepare and commence proceedings:

• (b) that a fair hearing will occur.

(3) The court must, before appointing a person as a special advocate, be satisfied that the person—

• (a) holds an appropriate security clearance that allows the person to see information that is or may be classified security information; and

• (b) is suitably qualified and experienced to fulfil the role of a special advocate.

(4) A special advocate appointed to represent an intended party may, after the proceedings are commenced, continue to act as the special advocate on behalf of that person (as a non-Crown party), subject to the terms that the court may direct.

(5) The court may make directions as to the terms of the appointment, and on the matters referred to in sections 96F and 96G(3), before or after the proceedings are commenced.

(6) The appointment of a special advocate does not create an obligation requiring the intended party to commence proceedings.

(7) The surveillance agency to which the proceedings or intended proceedings relate must meet the actual and reasonable costs of a special advocate on a basis—

• (a) agreed between the special advocate and the head of the surveillance agency; or

• (b) determined by the court (in default of agreement).

(1) Each of the following may nominate a barrister or solicitor to be appointed as the special advocate:

• (a) the Crown:

• (b) the intended party or the non-Crown party (as the case may be).

(2) The court may appoint a person nominated under subsection (1) or another person.

(1) The role of a special advocate is to represent an intended party or a non-Crown party.

(2) In particular, a special advocate may—

• (a) prepare and commence proceedings on behalf of the person:

• (b) examine and cross-examine witnesses:

• (c) make oral and written submissions to the court:

• (a) assist in the settlement of the proceedings.

(3) At all times, a special advocate must act in accordance with his or her duties as an officer of the High Court.

(4) A special advocate must keep confidential and must not disclose classified security information, except as expressly provided or authorised under this Act.

(1) A special advocate may, before or after the commencement of proceedings, apply to the court for access to the classified security information.

(2) The court may provide access to the classified security information to the special advocate on the terms that the court may direct.

(1) A special advocate may communicate with the relevant party or the relevant party's representative on an unlimited basis until the special advocate has been provided with access to the classified security information.

(2) After the special advocate has been given access to the classified security information, he or she must not communicate with any person about any matter connected with the classified security information except in accordance with this section.

(3) A special advocate who, after having been given access to the classified security information, wishes to communicate with the relevant party, the relevant party's representative, or any other person not referred to in subsection (4) may do so on the terms that the court may direct.

(4) A special advocate may, without the approval of the court, communicate about any matter connected with the classified security information with—

• (a) the court:

• (b) the Crown's security-cleared representative:

• (c) the head of the surveillance agency to which the proceedings relate, or the surveillance agency’s security-cleared representative.

(5) In this section, relevant party means the intended party or non-Crown party.

(1) To the extent that a special advocate is acting in accordance with the requirements of this Act, he or she is not guilty of—

• (a) misconduct within the meaning of section 7 or 9 of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006; or

• (b) unsatisfactory conduct within the meaning of section 12 of that Act.

(2) This subpart applies despite the requirements of any practice rules made and approved under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006.

(3) No person is personally liable for any act done or omitted to be done in good faith, in his or her capacity as a special advocate, in accordance with the requirements or provisions of this Act.

(2) The court must determine the proceedings on the basis of information available to it (whether or not that information has been disclosed to or responded to by all parties to the proceedings).

(3) If information presented, or proposed to be presented, in the proceedings by the Crown includes classified security information,—

• (a) except where proceedings are before the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, the proceedings must be heard and determined by the Chief High Court Judge, or by 1 or more Judges nominated by the Chief High Court Judge, or both; and

• (b) the court must, on a request by the Attorney-General and if satisfied that it is necessary to do so for the protection of (either all or part of) the classified security information, receive or hear (the relevant part or all of) the classified security information in the absence of all or any of—

  • (i) the non-Crown party; and

  • (ii) the barristers or solicitors (if any) representing the non-Crown party; and

  • (iii) journalists; and

  • (iv) members of the public.

(5) Without limiting subsection (3),—

• (a) the court may approve a summary of the classified security information that is presented by the Attorney-General except to the extent that a summary of any particular part of the information would itself involve disclosure that would be likely to prejudice the interests referred to in section 96(3); and

• (b) on being approved by the court, a copy of the summary must be given to the non-Crown party.

(7) Subsections (2) to (5) apply despite any enactment or rule of law to the contrary.

Nothing in this subpart limits section 27 of the Crown Proceedings Act 1950 or any rule of law that authorises or requires the withholding of a document or the refusal to answer a question on the ground that the disclosure of the document or the answering of the question would be injurious to the public interest.

(1) Any general practices and procedures that may be necessary to implement the procedures specified in this subpart and to ensure that classified security information is protected in all proceedings to which this subpart applies must be agreed between the Chief Justice and the Attorney-General as soon as practicable after the commencement of this section, and revised from time to time.

(2) General practices and procedures may be agreed under subsection (1) on the following matters:

• (a) measures relating to the physical protection of the information during all proceedings to which this subpart relates:

• (b) the manner in which the information may be provided to the court:

• (c) measures to preserve the integrity of the information until any appeals are withdrawn or finally determined.

(3) Subsection (2) does not limit subsection (1).

The costs of developing, installing, and maintaining an interception capability on a public telecommunications network or a telecommunications service must be paid for by the network operator concerned.

(1) A surveillance agency must pay for the actual and reasonable costs incurred by a network operator or a service provider in providing assistance to the agency under section 24.

(2) A surveillance agency must pay the costs referred to in subsection (1) by the date specified for payment, whether in an invoice or other appropriate document given to the agency by a network operator or a service provider, being a date not less than 1 month after the date of the invoice or other appropriate document.

(3) This section—

• (a) does not apply to a network operator that is complying with duties only under section 11; and

• (b) is subject to section 101.

(1) This section applies if a surveillance agency believes on reasonable grounds that—

• (a) a network operator has not complied with any of the duties under this Act; and

• (b) the non-compliance has—

  • (i) materially increased the costs incurred by the agency in the execution of an interception warrant or authority; or

  • (ii) materially increased the time that would otherwise be required to execute an interception warrant or authority; or

  • (iii) otherwise materially prejudiced the agency in executing an interception warrant or authority.

(2) The surveillance agency is not required to pay the costs referred to in section 100 that are incurred by the network operator in providing assistance to the agency under section 24 in relation to the execution of the interception warrant or authority.

(3) In this section, interception warrant or authority means an interception warrant or other lawful interception authority.

(1) This section applies to any dispute about the reasonableness of the costs that are incurred, or are claimed to have been incurred, in the performance of the duties imposed by this Act that arises between,—

• (a) in the case of costs under section 99, the Crown and a network operator; or

• (b) in the case of costs under section 100, a surveillance agency and a network operator or a service provider.

(1) This section applies to any dispute between a surveillance agency and a network operator or a service provider about the reasonableness of the costs under section 100 that are incurred, or are claimed to have been incurred, in the performance of the duty under section 24.

(2) If a dispute to which this section applies is unable to be resolved by agreement between the parties, the dispute must be referred to—

• (a) mediation; or

• (b) if the parties are unable to resolve the dispute at mediation, arbitration.

(3) If a dispute is referred to arbitration under subsection (2)(b), the provisions of the Arbitration Act 1996 apply to that dispute.

(1) This section applies to—

• (a) every network operator; and

• (b) every service provider; and

• (c) every surveillance agency and the Director; and

• (d) the Registrar and every other designated officer; and

• (e) every person employed or engaged by a person referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d).

(2) No person to whom this section applies is liable for an act done or omitted to be done in good faith—

• (a) in the performance or intended performance of a duty imposed by or under this Act; or

• (b) in the exercise or intended exercise of a function or power conferred by or under this Act.

(3) This section does not apply in relation to compliance with a direction given under section 39 or 54.

(4) Nothing in this section limits any immunity under any other enactment.

(1) A notice served for the purposes of this Part must—

• (a) be in writing; and

• (b) be signed by a designated officer, the Director, or by any person purporting to act with the authority of a surveillance agency; and

• (c) be served in accordance with section 105.

(2) All documents purporting to be signed by a designated officer, the Director, or by or on behalf of a surveillance agency must, in all courts and in all proceedings under this Act, be treated as having been so signed with due authority unless the contrary is proved.

(1) Any notice required or authorised to be served on any person for the purposes of this Part may—

• (a) be served on a company, within the meaning of the Companies Act 1993, in a manner provided for in section 388 of that Act:

• (b) be served on an overseas company in a manner provided for in section 390 of the Companies Act 1993:

• (c) be served on any other body corporate in a manner in which it could be served if the body corporate were a company within the meaning of the Companies Act 1993:

• (d) be served on an individual—

  • (i) by delivering it personally or by an agent (such as a courier) to the person; or

  • (ii) by sending it by post addressed to the person at the person's usual or last known place of residence or business; or

  • (iii) by sending it by fax or email to the person's fax number or email address provided by the person for the purpose; or

  • (iv) in any other manner that a High Court Judge directs.

(2) Section 392 of the Companies Act 1993 applies for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) to (c).

(3) In the absence of proof to the contrary, a notice, document, or notification sent to a person in accordance with—

• (a) subsection (1)(d)(ii) must be treated as having been served on the person when it would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post, and, in proving the delivery, it is sufficient to prove that the letter was properly addressed and posted:

• (b) subsection (1)(d)(iii) must be treated as having been served on the person on the second working day after the date on which it is sent.

(4) If a person is absent from New Zealand, a notice served on the person's agent in New Zealand in accordance with subsection (1) must be treated as having been served on the person.