Eyes on the spies
New Zealand Listener|June 24-30 2023
A new review recommends diluting the PM's oversight of NZ's intelligence agencies but Chris Hipkins remains unconvinced.
PETER GRACE
Eyes on the spies

George Tenet, director of the US Central Intelligence Agency from 1997 to 2004, once professed that "organisations such as the CIA exist to defend democracy, not to practise it". Tenet, a rough-speaking, second-generation Greek-Albanian from Queens, New York, was kidding.

But he was touching on a universal fear that our intelligence agencies might place themselves above the law and that in the pursuit of national security our vital freedoms might get a secretive short shrift.

It is timely then that a review of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017 has been publicly released. This is the legislation that keeps two of our most important intelligence agencies in check: the Security Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB).

It determines what oversight we give them and how we enable them with warrants. And this review of our current policy - conducted by Sir Terence Arnold and Matanuku Mahuika - is far-reaching.

It might be too far-reaching for some. Recommendations in the review, published on May 29, have already been described as "challenging" by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. "I don't think there's any need for this to become a political football," he said, promising he would go through the points one by one before providing a "direction of travel", hopefully by October.

Bu hikaye New Zealand Listener dergisinin June 24-30 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye New Zealand Listener dergisinin June 24-30 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

NEW ZEALAND LISTENER DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
First-world problem
New Zealand Listener

First-world problem

Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Applying intelligence to AI
New Zealand Listener

Applying intelligence to AI

I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.

time-read
2 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Nazism rears its head
New Zealand Listener

Nazism rears its head

Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.

time-read
2 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Staying ahead of the game
New Zealand Listener

Staying ahead of the game

Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?

time-read
4 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Grasping the nettle
New Zealand Listener

Grasping the nettle

Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Hangry? Eat breakfast
New Zealand Listener

Hangry? Eat breakfast

People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Chemical reaction
New Zealand Listener

Chemical reaction

Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.

time-read
4 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Me and my guitar
New Zealand Listener

Me and my guitar

Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.

time-read
2 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Time is on my side
New Zealand Listener

Time is on my side

Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?

time-read
7 dak  |
September 9, 2024
The kids are not alright
New Zealand Listener

The kids are not alright

Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.

time-read
4 dak  |
September 9, 2024