Subpart 1—Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security
Appointment, functions, duties, and powers of Inspector-General
120 Appointment of Inspector-General
(1)
There continues to be an office called the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security.
(2)
The Inspector-General is appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the House of Representatives.
(3)
Before a recommendation may be made under subsection (2), the Prime Minister must—
(a)
consult the Intelligence and Security Committee about the proposed appointment; and
(b)
advise the House of Representatives on the outcome of that consultation.
(4)
The Inspector-General must hold a G government-sponsored security clearance of a level determined by the Prime Minister.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 5(1)(a), (2)
121 Functions of Inspector-General
(1)
The functions of the Inspector-General are—
(a)
to conduct an inquiry into any matter relating to an intelligence and security agency’s compliance with New Zealand law, including human rights law, if that inquiry is requested by—
(i)
the Minister responsible for the intelligence and security agency; or
(ii)
the Intelligence and Security Committee:
(b)
to conduct an inquiry into any matter where it appears that a New Zealand person has been or may be adversely affected by an act, omission, practice, policy, or procedure of an intelligence and security agency, if that inquiry is requested by—
(i)
the Minister responsible for the intelligence and security agency; or
(ii)
the Intelligence and Security Committee:
(c)
to conduct an inquiry into the propriety of particular activities of an intelligence and security agency, if that inquiry is requested by—
(i)
the Minister responsible for the intelligence and security agency; or
(ii)
the Intelligence and Security Committee; or
(d)
to conduct an inquiry of the type referred to in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) on the Inspector-General’s own initiative:
(e)
to deal with complaints received under section 134:
(f)
to conduct reviews, at intervals of not more than 12 months, of the effectiveness and appropriateness of—
(i)
the procedures of each intelligence and security agency to ensure compliance with this Act in relation to the issue and execution of an authorisation; and
(ii)
the compliance systems of each intelligence and security agency for operational activities, including all supporting policies and practices of an intelligence and security agency relating to—
(D)
legal compliance generally:
(fa)
to conduct a review, on the Inspector-General’s own initiative, of any activity undertaken carried out by an intelligence and security agency in the performance of its function under section 17:
(g)
to conduct unscheduled audits of the procedures and compliance systems described in paragraph (f):
(h)
to conduct a review in relation to either or both of the following:
(i)
the issue of an authorisation:
(ii)
the carrying out of an authorised activity:
(ha)
to conduct a review in relation to a permission granted under section 113 or 114:
(hb)
to conduct a review in relation to the issue of—
(i)
approvals under section 118E:
(ii)
business records directions under section 118H:
(i)
to undertake all work programmes published under section 122:
(j)
to perform any other functions conferred or imposed on the Inspector-General by or under this Act or any other enactment.
(2)
In conducting any inquiry or review, the Inspector-General must take into account—
(a)
any relevant ministerial policy statement; and
(b)
the extent to which an intelligence and security agency has had regard to that statement.
(3)
In this section, authorisation and authorised activity have the meanings given to them by section 47.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 11(1)(a), (c), (ca), (d), (da), (f), (3)
122 Inspector-General to prepare and publish annual work programme
(1)
At least 60 days before the beginning of each financial year, the Inspector-General must—
(a)
prepare a draft proposed work programme for that year; and
(b)
consult the Ministers on that proposed work programme.
(2)
The Inspector-General, after having regard to any comments received from the Ministers, must finalise the annual work programme.
(3)
As soon as practicable after the annual work programme is finalised, the Inspector-General—
(a)
must give a copy to the Ministers; and
(b)
may publish it on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Inspector-General.
(4)
In this section, Ministers means—
(a)
the Minister responsible for the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service; and
(b)
the Minister responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 11(1)(e)
123 Disclosures to Inspector-General or Deputy Inspector-General
(1)
This section applies if an employee of an intelligence and security agency brings any matter to the attention of the Inspector-General or Deputy Inspector-General.
(2)
The employee must not be subjected by the intelligence and security agency to any penalty or discriminatory treatment of any kind in relation to his or her employment by reason only of having brought the matter to the attention of the Inspector-General or Deputy Inspector-General.
(3)
However, subsection (2) does not apply if the Inspector-General determines that the employee did not act in good faith.
Compare: 1996 No 47 ss 5(4), 18
124 Consultation by Inspector-General
(1)
In carrying out his or her functions, the Inspector-General must have regard to the functions of the Auditor-General in relation to an intelligence and security agency and may consult the Auditor-General about any matter with a view to avoiding inquiries being conducted into that matter by both the Inspector-General and the Auditor-General.
(2)
The Inspector-General may—
(a)
consult any of the persons specified in subsection (3) about any matter relating to the functions of the Inspector-General; and
(b)
despite section 176(1), disclose to any of the persons consulted any information that the Inspector-General considers necessary for the purpose of the consultation.
(3)
The persons are—
(c)
the Privacy Commissioner:
(d)
a Human Rights Commissioner:
(e)
the Independent Police Conduct Authority:
(f)
the State Services Commissioner.
(4)
Nothing in this section limits the functions, duties, or powers of the Auditor-General, an Ombudsman, the Privacy Commissioner, a Human Rights Commissioner, the Independent Police Conduct Authority, or the State Services Commissioner under any enactment.
Compare: 1996 No 47 ss 12, 15(3)
125 Jurisdiction of courts and other agencies not affected
(1)
To avoid doubt, the carrying out of the Inspector-General’s functions does not limit the jurisdiction of any court.
(2)
The carrying out by the Inspector-General of his or her functions does not affect the exercise by any Police employee of any powers that the Police employee may lawfully exercise in relation to—
(a)
an intelligence and security agency; or
(b)
the Director-General or any employee of an intelligence and security agency.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 15(1), (2)
126 Reviews relating to authorisations and authorised activities
(1)
If a review conducted under section 121(1)(h)(i) identifies any irregularity in the issue of an authorisation to an intelligence and security agency (an irregular authorisation),—
(a)
the finding does not—
(i)
invalidate the authorisation; or
(ii)
invalidate any action taken by the intelligence and security agency, or any other person, in reliance on the authorisation or any information collected obtained under it; or
(iii)
require any information obtained under the authorisation to be destroyed:
(b)
the Inspector-General may report the irregular authorisation to—
(i)
the Minister responsible for the intelligence and security agency and to the Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, in the case of an authorisation that—
(A)
is a Type 1 intelligence warrant; or
(B)
is given under section 77(2)(a); or
(ii)
the Minister responsible for the intelligence and security agency, in the case of any other kind of authorisation.
(2)
If a review conducted under section 121(1)(h)(ii) identifies any irregularity in the carrying out of an authorised activity by an intelligence and security agency (an irregular activity),—
(a)
the finding does not—
(i)
invalidate the authorisation that authorised the activity; or
(ii)
make the activity unlawful; or
(iii)
require any information obtained during the carrying out of the activity to be destroyed:
(b)
the Inspector-General may report the irregular activity to—
(i)
the Minister responsible for the intelligence and security agency and to the Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, in the case of an activity authorised by—
(A)
a Type 1 intelligence warrant; or
(B)
an authorisation given under section 77(2)(a); or
(ii)
the Minister responsible for the intelligence and security agency, in the case of an activity authorised by any other kind of authorisation.
(3)
The Inspector-General may include in his or her report under subsection (1)(b) or (2)(b) a recommendation that all or any specified information obtained under an irregular authorisation or as a result of irregular activity be destroyed.
Appointment, functions, duties, and powers of Deputy Inspector-General
127 Appointment of Deputy Inspector-General
(1)
There continues to be an office called the Deputy Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security.
(2)
The Deputy Inspector-General is appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the House of Representatives.
(3)
Before a recommendation may be made under subsection (2), the Prime Minister must—
(a)
consult the Intelligence and Security Committee about the proposed appointment; and
(b)
advise the House of Representatives on the outcome of that consultation.
(4)
The Deputy Inspector-General must hold a G government-sponsored security clearance of a level determined by the Prime Minister.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 5(1)(b), (2)
128 Functions, duties, and powers of Deputy Inspector-General
(1)
The Deputy Inspector-General has and may perform or exercise, to the same extent as the Inspector-General, all the functions, duties, and powers of the Inspector-General.
(2)
The performance by the Deputy Inspector-General of the Inspector-General’s functions and duties, and the exercise by the Deputy Inspector-General of the Inspector-General’s powers, is subject to the control of the Inspector-General.
(3)
If there is a vacancy in the office of the Inspector-General, or if the Inspector-General is absent from duty for any reason, the Deputy Inspector-General has and may perform or exercise all the functions, duties, and powers of the Inspector-General for as long as the vacancy or absence continues.
(4)
The fact that the Deputy Inspector-General performs or exercises any function, duty, or power of the Inspector-General is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, conclusive evidence of the Deputy Inspector-General’s authority to do so.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 5(3), (5), (6)
Administrative provisions
129 Administrative provisions relating to offices of Inspector-General and Deputy Inspector-General
Part 2 of Schedule 3 applies in relation to the offices of Inspector-General and Deputy Inspector-General.
Advisory panel
130 Advisory panel
There continues to be an advisory panel.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 15A
131 Functions of advisory panel
(1)
The functions of the advisory panel are—
(a)
to provide advice to the Inspector-General—
(i)
on request from the Inspector-General; or
(b)
to report to the Prime Minister on any matter relating to intelligence and security if the advisory panel considers that the matter should be drawn to the attention of the Prime Minister.
(2)
To assist the advisory panel to perform its functions, the Inspector-General may on his or her own initiative, or on request, provide any information to the advisory panel.
Compare: 1996 No 37 s 15B
132 Membership of advisory panel
(1)
The advisory panel consists of 2 members appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister made after consulting the Intelligence and Security Committee.
(2)
Both members appointed under subsection (1) must hold a G government-sponsored security clearance of a level determined by the Prime Minister.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 15C(1)–(4)
133 Administrative provisions relating to advisory panel
Part 3 of Schedule 3 applies in relation to the membership and procedure of the advisory panel.
Complaints
134 Complaints that may be made to Inspector-General
(1)
A complaint may be made to the Inspector-General under subsection (2), (3), or (4).
(2)
A New Zealand person (not being a person referred to in subsection (3)) may complain that he or she has, or may have, been adversely affected by any act, omission, practice, policy, or procedure of an intelligence and security agency.
(3)
An employee, or a former employee, of an intelligence and security agency may complain that he or she has, or may have, been adversely affected by any act, omission, practice, policy, or procedure of an intelligence and security agency if—
(a)
all established internal remedies have been exhausted; or
(b)
the Director-General of the relevant intelligence and security agency agrees in writing.
(4)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives on behalf of 1 or more members of Parliament may complain about any act, omission, practice, policy, or procedure of an intelligence and security agency.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 11(1)(b), (ba), (5)
135 Form of complaint
(1)
A complaint may be made orally or in writing.
(2)
A complaint made orally must be put in writing as soon as practicable.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 16(1)
136 Procedure on receipt of complaint
(1)
As soon as practicable after receiving a complaint, the Inspector-General must consider the complaint and—
(a)
decide to conduct an inquiry into the complaint; or
(b)
decide, in accordance with section 137, not to conduct an inquiry into the complaint.
(2)
As soon as practicable after making a decision under subsection (1), the Inspector-General must advise the complainant of that decision.
Compare: 1993 No 28 s 70
137 Inspector-General may decide not to inquire or continue to inquire into complaint
(1)
The Inspector-General may decide not to conduct an inquiry into a complaint if it appears to the Inspector-General that,—
(a)
under the law or existing administrative practice, the complainant has an adequate remedy or right of appeal (other than the right to petition the House of Representatives) and it is, or would have been, reasonable for the complainant to pursue that remedy or right of appeal; or
(b)
the complaint relates to an act, omission, practice, policy, or procedure that the complainant has known about for more than 12 months; or
(c)
the subject matter of the complaint is trivial; or
(d)
the complaint is frivolous or vexatious or not made in good faith; or
(e)
the complainant does not have a sufficient personal interest in the subject matter of the complaint; or
(f)
having regard to all the circumstances of the case, and following preliminary inquiries, an inquiry is unnecessary.
(2)
The Inspector-General may decide not to continue to conduct an inquiry into a complaint if, in the course of his or her inquiries, it appears to the Inspector-General that—
(a)
any of the circumstances in subsection (1) apply; or
(ab)
having regard to all the circumstances of the case, the further conduct of the inquiry is unnecessary; or
(b)
the matter that is the subject of the complaint is one that should be heard by a court or tribunal constituted by statute.
(3)
As soon as practicable after making a decision under subsection (1) or (2), the Inspector-General must advise the complainant of that decision.
Compare: 1975 No 9 s 17; 1996 No 47 s 17
Procedure for inquiries
138 Commencing of inquiry
(1)
After commencing an inquiry, the Inspector-General must notify the Director-General of the relevant intelligence and security agency of—
(a)
the commencement of the inquiry; and
(b)
the nature of the inquiry.
(2)
If the inquiry relates to a complaint, the Inspector-General must also give to the Director-General of the relevant intelligence and security agency a copy of the complaint.
(3)
If the inquiry is initiated by the Inspector-General in reliance on section 121(1)(d), the Inspector-General must advise the Minister responsible for the relevant intelligence and security agency of—
(a)
the commencement of the inquiry; and
(b)
the nature of the inquiry.
(4)
In this section, relevant intelligence and security agency means the intelligence and security agency that the inquiry relates to.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 19(1), (2)
139 Evidence
(1)
The Inspector-General must conduct an inquiry in private.
(2)
The Inspector-General may receive in evidence any statement, document, information, or matter that may, in the Inspector-General’s opinion, assist him or her with the inquiry, whether or not the statement, document, information, or matter would be admissible in a court of law.
(3)
The Inspector-General must allow a complainant to be heard, to be represented by counsel or any other person, and to have any other persons testify to the complainant’s record, reliability, and character.
(4)
If, at any time during an inquiry, it appears to the Inspector-General that there may be sufficient grounds for making any report or recommendation that may adversely affect an intelligence and security agency, any employee of an intelligence and security agency, or any other department or person, the Inspector-General must give that agency, employee, or person an opportunity to be heard.
(5)
Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Inspector-General may regulate his or her procedure in the manner that he or she thinks fit.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 19(4)–(8)
140 Evidence of breach of duty or misconduct by employee of intelligence and security agency
If, during the course of an inquiry, the Inspector-General forms the opinion that there is evidence of a breach of duty or misconduct by an employee of an intelligence and security agency, the Inspector-General must immediately advise—
(a)
the Director-General of the intelligence and security agency; and
(b)
the Minister responsible for the intelligence and security agency.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 25(3)
141 Power to summon persons
(1)
The Inspector-General may summon and examine on oath any person who the Inspector-General considers is able to give information relevant to the inquiry, and may for that purpose administer an oath to any person.
(2)
Every examination by the Inspector-General under subsection (1) is to be treated as a judicial proceeding within the meaning of section 108 of the Crimes Act 1961 (which relates to perjury).
(3)
Witnesses’ fees, allowances, and expenses according to the scales for the time being prescribed by regulations made under the Criminal Procedure Act 2011—
(a)
must be paid by the Inspector-General to any person who appears as a witness before the Inspector-General under a summons; and
(b)
may, if the Inspector-General so decides, be paid by the Inspector-General to any other person who appears as a witness before the Inspector-General.
(4)
The Inspector-General may disallow the whole or any part of a sum payable under subsection (3)(a).
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 23(2), (3), (6)
142 Power to require information and documents
The Inspector-General may require any person to provide—
(a)
any information that the Inspector-General considers may be relevant to an inquiry; and
(b)
any documents or things in the possession or under the control of that person that the Inspector-General considers may be relevant to an inquiry.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 23(1)
143 Disclosure of information may be required despite obligation of secrecy
(1)
A person who is obliged by the provisions of an enactment or otherwise to maintain secrecy in relation to, or not to disclose, any matter may be required to do the following even if compliance with the requirement would otherwise breach the obligation of secrecy or non-disclosure:
(a)
give evidence to, or answer questions put by, the Inspector-General:
(b)
provide information, documents, or things to the Inspector-General.
(2)
Compliance with a requirement under subsection (1) is not a breach of the relevant obligation of secrecy or non-disclosure or of any enactment by which that obligation is imposed.
(3)
This section is subject to section 144.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 23(5)
144 Protection and privileges of witnesses
Every person who does the following has the same privileges as witnesses have in a court of law:
(a)
gives evidence to, or answers questions put by, the Inspector-General:
(b)
provides information, documents, or things to the Inspector-General.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 23(4)
145 Information disclosed to Inspector-General privileged
Any information, document, or thing produced by any person in the course of an inquiry conducted by the Inspector-General is privileged in the same manner as if the inquiry were a proceeding in a court.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 24(1)(b), (2), (3)
145A Inspector-General, etc, not compellable witnesses
(1)
The following persons may not be required to give evidence in any court, or in proceedings of a judicial nature, in respect of anything that comes to their knowledge when they are performing or exercising their functions, duties, or powers:
(a)
the Inspector-General, or any person who has held office as Inspector-General:
(b)
the Deputy Inspector-General, or any person who has held office as Deputy Inspector-General:
(c)
a person who is, or has been, employed by the Inspector-General:
(d)
a person who is, or has been, a member of the advisory panel.
(2)
Nothing in subsection (1) applies in respect of proceedings for—
(a)
an offence against section 177; or
(b)
an offence against section 78, 78AA(1), 78A(1), 105, 105A, or 105B of the Crimes Act 1961; or
(c)
an offence of conspiring to commit an offence against any of those sections of the Crimes Act 1961; or
(d)
an offence of attempting to commit an offence against any of those sections of the Crimes Act 1961.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 24(1)(b), (2), (3)
146 Power of entry
(1)
For the purposes of an inquiry, the Inspector-General may enter, at any reasonable time, any premises or place occupied or used by an intelligence and security agency.
(2)
The Inspector-General must give prior notice to the Director-General of the intelligence and security agency of his or her intention to exercise the power in subsection (1).
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 21
Procedure on completion of inquiry
147 Inspector-General to prepare report on completion of inquiry
(1)
On the completion of an inquiry, the Inspector-General must prepare a written report containing his or her conclusions and recommendations.
(2)
In the case of an inquiry conducted in relation to a complaint, the report may include any recommendations for the redress of that complaint that the Inspector-General considers appropriate (including remedies that involve the payment of compensation).
(3)
The Inspector-General must send the report to—
(a)
the Minister responsible for the intelligence and security agency to which the inquiry relates; and
(b)
the Director-General of the intelligence and security agency to which the inquiry relates; and
(c)
the Prime Minister, if the inquiry was conducted at the request of the Prime Minister; and
(d)
the Intelligence and Security Committee, if the inquiry was conducted at the request of the Committee.
(4)
If the inquiry was not conducted at the request of the Intelligence and Security Committee, the Inspector-General may send the report to the Committee if—
(a)
the inquiry was conducted on the Inspector-General’s own initiative and the responsible Minister agrees to the report being sent to the Intelligence and Security Committee; or
(b)
the inquiry was conducted at the request of a Minister responsible for the intelligence and security agency, and the Minister agrees to the report being sent to the Intelligence and Security Committee; or
(c)
the inquiry was conducted at the request of the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister agrees to the report being sent to the Intelligence and Security Committee.
(5)
In the case of an inquiry conducted in relation to a complaint, the Inspector-General must advise the complainant of his or her conclusions in terms that will not prejudice—
(a)
the security or defence of New Zealand; or
(b)
the international relations of the Government of New Zealand.
(6)
The Inspector-General may, after consulting the Director-General of the intelligence and security agency concerned, determine the security classification of the report.
(7)
Despite subsection (6), if a report quotes or summarises any matter that has a security classification, then the quote or summary of that matter in the report must not be given a lower security classification.
Compare: 1996 No 47 ss 11(6), 25(1), (2), (8)
148 Advice on compliance with Inspector-General’s recommendations
The Inspector-General may advise the Minister who received a report under section 147(3)(a) on—
(a)
the compliance by an intelligence and security agency with the recommendations in that report; and
(b)
the adequacy of any remedial or preventative measures taken by an intelligence and security agency following an inquiry.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 25(5)
149 Minister to respond to Inspector-General’s report
(1)
As soon as practicable after receiving a report from the Inspector-General under section 147(3)(a), the Minister must provide his or her response to—
(a)
the Inspector-General; and
(b)
the Director-General of the intelligence and security agency concerned.
(2)
If the report relates to an inquiry that was conducted at the request of the Intelligence and Security Committee, the Minister must also provide his or her response to the Committee.
(3)
If the report relates to an inquiry that was not conducted at the request of the Intelligence and Security Committee, the Minister may provide his or her response to the Committee.
(4)
This section does not apply to the extent that a report relates to an employment matter or a security clearance issue.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 25(6), (7)
150 Publication of Inspector-General’s report
(1)
As soon as practicable after sending a report in accordance with section 147(3), the Inspector-General must make the report publicly available on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Inspector-General.
(2)
However, the Inspector-General must not, in the report made publicly available under subsection (1), disclose—
(a)
information that, if publicly disclosed, would be likely to prejudice the entrusting of information to the Government of New Zealand on a basis of confidence—
(i)
by the Government of any other country or any agency of such a Government; or
(ii)
by an international organisation; or
(b)
information that, if publicly disclosed, would be likely to endanger the safety of any person; or
(c)
the identity of any person who is or has been an officer, employee, or agent of an intelligence and security agency other than the Director-General, or any information from which the identity of such a person could reasonably be inferred; or
(d)
information that, if publicly disclosed, would be likely to prejudice—
(i)
the continued performance of the functions of an intelligence and security agency; or
(ii)
the security or defence of New Zealand or the international relations of the Government of New Zealand; or
(e)
any information about employment matters or security clearance issues.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 25A
151 Return of documents, etc, after inquiry
(1)
On completion of an inquiry, the Inspector-General must return to the intelligence and security agency concerned all information, documents, and things relating to the inquiry that the Inspector-General obtained from that agency.
(2)
All other information, documents, and things relating to the inquiry in the possession of the Inspector-General must be—
(a)
kept by the Inspector-General in safe custody in accordance with the requirements for the safe custody of documents applying to intelligence and security agencies; or
(b)
disposed of by the Inspector-General in accordance with the requirements for the disposal of documents applying to intelligence and security agencies.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 25(4)
152 Proceedings not to be questioned or reviewed
No proceeding, report, or finding of the Inspector-General may be challenged, reviewed, quashed, or called into question in any court except on the ground of lack of jurisdiction.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 19(9)
153 Offence to publish information relating to inquiry
(1)
A person commits an offence if the person, without the written consent of the relevant Minister, publishes or broadcasts, or causes to be published or broadcast, or otherwise distributes or discloses,—
(a)
any complaint that is before the Inspector-General; or
(b)
any decision of the Inspector-General relating to a complaint or an inquiry; or
(c)
any report or account of any inquiry conducted by the Inspector-General; or
(d)
any decision of the relevant Minister relating to a complaint or an inquiry.
(2)
Subsection (1) does not apply to the publication, broadcast, distribution, or disclosure of—
(a)
advice provided to a complainant by the Inspector-General under section 147(5); or
(b)
a report made publicly available by the Inspector-General under section 150(1) or 180(7); or
(c)
any material that the Inspector-General has approved for release (the approval being given in writing after the Inspector-General has consulted, in relation to security requirements, the Director-General of the intelligence and security agency to which the inquiry or complaint relates); or
(d)
the fact only that an inquiry has been conducted by the Inspector-General.
(3)
A person who commits an offence against this section is liable on conviction to—
(a)
a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years; or
(b)
a fine not exceeding $10,000.
(4)
A prosecution for an offence under this section may not be commenced without the leave of the Attorney-General.
(5)
Nothing in this section restricts—
(a)
the communication of proceedings in Parliament; or
(b)
the reporting of proceedings in Parliament.
(6)
In this section,—
communication has the meaning given to it by section 5(1) of the Parliamentary Privilege Act 2014
proceedings in Parliament has the meaning given to it by section 10 of the Parliamentary Privilege Act 2014
relevant Minister means the Minister responsible for the intelligence and security agency to which the complaint or inquiry relates.
Compare: 1996 No 47 s 29
Subpart 2—Intelligence and Security Committee
Continuation of Intelligence and Security Committee
154 Intelligence and Security Committee
There continues to be an Intelligence and Security Committee.
Compare: 1996 No 46 s 5
155 Functions of Committee
(1)
The functions of the Committee are—
(a)
to examine the policy, administration, and expenditure of each intelligence and security agency:
(b)
to receive and consider the annual report of each intelligence and security agency:
(c)
to conduct each year, following receipt of the annual report of an intelligence and security agency, an annual review of the agency for the immediately preceding financial year:
(d)
to consider any bill Bill, petition, or other matter in relation to an intelligence and security agency referred to the Committee by the House of Representatives:
(e)
to request the Inspector-General to conduct an inquiry into—
(i)
any matter relating to an intelligence and security agency’s compliance with New Zealand law, including human rights law:
(ii)
the propriety of particular activities of an intelligence and security agency:
(f)
to consider any matter (not being a matter relating directly to the activities of an intelligence and security agency) referred to the Committee by the Prime Minister because of that matter’s intelligence or security implications:
(g)
to consider and discuss with the Inspector-General his or her annual report.
(2)
However, the functions of the Committee do not include—
(a)
inquiring into any matter within the jurisdiction of the Inspector-General; or
(b)
inquiring into any matter that is operationally sensitive, including any matter that relates to intelligence collection and production methods, or sources of information; or
(c)
inquiring into complaints by individuals concerning the activities of an intelligence and security agency that are capable of being resolved under any other enactment.
Compare: 1996 No 46 s 6
156 Membership of Committee
(1)
The size of the Committee must be determined by the Prime Minister in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, but the Committee must comprise—
(a)
a minimum of 5 members; and
(2)
The membership of the Committee must comprise—
(b)
the Leader of the Opposition; and
(c)
members of the House of Representatives nominated by the Leader of the Opposition, with the agreement of the Prime Minister, after consultation with the leader of each party that is not in government or in coalition with a Government party; and
(d)
members of the House of Representatives nominated by the Prime Minister after consultation with the leader of each party in government.
(3)
If it is determined that the Committee should comprise 5 members,—
(a)
1 member must be nominated under subsection (2)(c); and
(b)
2 members must be nominated under subsection (2)(d).
(4)
If it is determined that the Committee should comprise 6 or 7 members,—
(a)
2 members must be nominated under subsection (2)(c); and
(b)
the balance of the members must be nominated under subsection (2)(d).
(5)
When nominating a person for membership of the Committee, the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister must have regard to security requirements and the proportional representation of political parties in the House of Representatives.
(6)
When performing the Committee’s functions, a member of the Committee acts in his or her official capacity as a member of Parliament.
Compare: 1996 No 46 s 7(1), (2), (4)
157 Filling vacancy in membership of Committee
(1)
If the office of a member nominated under section 156(2)(c) becomes vacant, the Leader of the Opposition must nominate, in accordance with section 156(2)(c), another member of the House of Representatives to fill that vacancy.
(2)
If the office of a member nominated under section 156(2)(d) becomes vacant, the Prime Minister—
(a)
must nominate, in accordance with section 156(2)(d), another member of the House of Representatives to fill that vacancy, if the vacancy leaves the Committee with fewer than 6 members:
(b)
may nominate, in accordance with section 156(2)(d), another member of the House of Representatives to fill that vacancy, if the vacancy leaves the Committee with 6 members.
Compare: 1996 No 46 s 11
158 Endorsement of nominated members
(1)
The Prime Minister must, as soon as practicable after the commencement of each Parliament, present to the House of Representatives, for endorsement as members of the Committee, the names of the members of the House of Representatives nominated under—
(a)
section 156(2)(c) and (d); and
(2)
If the House of Representatives declines to endorse any nomination, the Prime Minister must present to the House of Representatives, for endorsement as a member of the Committee, the name of another member of the House of Representatives nominated by the Leader of the Opposition under section 156(2)(c), or the Prime Minister under section 156(2)(d), as the case requires.
Compare: 1996 No 46 s 8(1), (2)
159 Committee not to transact business until nominated members endorsed
The Committee must not transact any business until the required number of nominations for the membership under section 156(2)(c) and (d) has been endorsed.
Compare: 1996 No 46 s 8(3)
160 Chairperson of Committee
(1)
The Committee is chaired by—
(b)
another member of the Committee from time to time appointed by the Prime Minister.
(2)
The Prime Minister must not chair a meeting of the Committee, and must appoint one of the members referred to in section 156(2)(d) to act as chairperson of that meeting, if—
(a)
the Committee is, in the course of conducting a financial review of an intelligence and security agency, discussing any matter relating to the performance of that agency; and
(b)
the Prime Minister is the Minister responsible for that agency.
(3)
The chairperson may appoint either of the following (if not already a member of the Committee) as an alternative chairperson in his or her absence at a meeting of the Committee:
(a)
the Deputy Prime Minister:
Compare: 1996 No 46 ss 7(3), 7A(1)–(3)
160A Privilege
(1)
The proceedings of the Committee are proceedings in Parliament for the purposes of Article 9 of the Bill of Rights 1688 and the Parliamentary Privilege Act 2014.
(2)
Anything said, any information supplied, or any document, paper, or thing produced by any person in the course of any inquiry or proceedings of the Committee under this Act is privileged as proceedings in Parliament (as defined in section 10 of the Parliamentary Privilege Act 2014).
Compare: 1996 No 46 s 16
161 Administrative provisions relating to Committee
Part 4 of Schedule 3 applies in relation to the Committee.
Evidence
162 Attendance before Committee
(1)
The Director-General of an intelligence and security agency must appear before the Committee if requested by the Committee.
(2)
The Committee may request any person other than the Director-General of an intelligence and security agency—
(a)
to attend and give evidence before the Committee; or
(b)
to produce any document or other information that is relevant to the proceedings of the Committee.
(3)
A request made to a person under subsection (1) or (2) must, wherever practicable, be given to that person by the Committee at least 5 working days before the date on which the person is requested—
(b)
to attend and give evidence; or
(c)
to produce any document or other information.
Compare: 1996 No 46 s 14
162A Meaning of sensitive information
(1)
In sections 163 and 164, sensitive information means information of a kind specified in subsection (2) that, if disclosed, 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—
(i)
the Government of any other country or any agency of such a Government; or
(ii)
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.
(2)
The kinds of information are as follows:
(a)
information that might lead to the identification of, or contain details of,—
(i)
sources of information available to an intelligence and security agency; or
(ii)
other assistance or operational methods available to an intelligence and security agency; and
(b)
information about particular operations that have been undertaken, or are being or are proposed to be undertaken, in carrying out performing any of the functions of an intelligence and security agency; and
(c)
information that has been provided to an intelligence and security agency by another department or agency of the Government of New Zealand and is information that cannot be disclosed by the intelligence and security agency without the consent of the department or agency of the Government of New Zealand that provided that information; and
(d)
information that has been provided to an intelligence and security agency by the Government of any other country or by an agency of such a Government and is information that cannot be disclosed by the intelligence and security agency without the consent of the Government or agency that provided that information.
163 Provision of information to Committee
(1)
If the Director-General of an intelligence and security agency or any other person is asked by the Committee to disclose any document or other information in his or her possession that is relevant to the matters being considered by the Committee, the Director-General or other person must, subject to subsections (2) and (3),—
(a)
arrange for that document or information to be made available to the Committee; or
(b)
inform the Committee that the document or information cannot be disclosed because, in the opinion of the Director-General of the relevant intelligence and security agency, that document or information is sensitive information.
(2)
The fact that any particular document or information is sensitive information does not prevent the disclosure of the document or information under subsection (1)(a) if,—
(a)
in any case where the document or information is in the possession or under the control of the Director-General of an intelligence and security agency, the Director-General considers it safe to disclose it; or
(b)
in any case where the document or information is in the possession or under the control of any other person, the Director-General of the relevant intelligence and security agency considers it safe to disclose it.
(3)
If any document or information is sensitive information within the meaning of that term in section 162A(1) and (2)(a), (b), or (c), that document or information must be disclosed to the Committee if the Prime Minister considers that the disclosure is desirable in the public interest.
(4)
If any document or other information that has a security classification is provided to the Committee, the Committee must ensure that the document or information—
(a)
is kept in safe custody in accordance with the requirements applying to the safe custody of documents in the intelligence and security agencies; and
(b)
is returned to the originating intelligence and security agency when no longer required by the Committee.
(5)
If the Committee is responsible for the production of a document that has a security classification, the Committee must ensure that the document is kept in safe custody in accordance with the requirements applying to the safe custody of documents in the intelligence and security agencies.
Compare: 1996 No 46 s 17
164 Secrecy of information disclosed to Committee
(1)
A person who has been appointed to assist the Committee or who has appeared before the Committee in any capacity must not disclose or publish, or cause to be disclosed or published,—
(a)
any sensitive information disclosed to the Committee under section 163(2) or (3); or
(b)
any other information provided to the Committee by an intelligence and security agency the further disclosure of which would be likely to prejudice any of the interests protected by—
(i)
section 182(2)(a) to (c); or
(2)
Subsection (1) does not apply if the disclosure or publication of the information—
(a)
is in the performance of the person’s functions or duties under this Act; or
(ab)
is in accordance with the Standing Orders rules and practice of the House of Representatives; or
(b)
is in the exercise of the person’s powers under this Act; or
(c)
is authorised in writing by the Committee or its chairperson.
(3)
A person must not disclose to any other person any minutes or other record relating to the proceedings of any meeting of the Committee unless—
(a)
the disclosure of the minutes or record is necessary for the purposes of—
(i)
a report to the House of Representatives (being a report that complies with section 180); or
(ii)
the conduct of the business of the Committee; or
(b)
the disclosure is authorised in writing by the Committee or its chairperson.
Compare: 1996 No 46 s 19
164A Committee’s records may be copied to House of Representatives
(1)
The House of Representatives may require the Committee to provide to it a copy of any or all records held by the Committee in relation to the performance of its functions under section 155(1)(a) to (d).
(2)
Before providing a copy of any record to the House of Representatives, the Committee must remove any protected information.
(3)
In this section,—
protected information means information that, under section 182, may not be disclosed by the Committee in a report to the House of Representatives
records means the records of the proceedings of the Committee, including records of reports, evidence, and advice received by the Committee during the course of proceedings.