8:27 pm on 17 April 2018
The Minister responsible for New Zealand's spy agencies is surprised that a journalist has been included on a new
reference group established by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Andrew Little said the 11 member group will act as a 'sounding board' for the Inspector-General Cheryl Gwyn, but won't
be privy to classified information, or operational details of the SIS or GCSB.
One member of the group is New Zealand Herald reporter David Fisher, while Nicky Hager - whom Mr Little describes as an
"observer" of the intelligence agencies - is another.
Mr Little said he thought there were some "interesting" choices when shown the list last week.
"I was shown the list, I thought some of the choices were interesting but then I think what is important is that we are
bold enough and brave enough to know that it is alright to have critics of organisations and of the government involved
in this sort of exercise.
"It is a healthy thing in our democracy."
But Mr Little was surprised a New Zealand Herald journalist was on the reference panel.
"I would have thought there is a question about a journalist complying with their ethics in doing so, but that's a
judgement call in the end that they have to make."
And National's spy spokesperson Gerry Brownlee said the creation of the reference group raised a number of serious
questions - particularly around the inclusion of the investigative journalist Nicky Hager.
"The Inspector-General has said this group has been brought together to help her stand 'in the shoes of the public."
"But several members of her group are far from objective in their view of our intelligence relationships, or in some
cases the existence of intelligence services at all," Mr Brownlee said.
He said Mr Hager had repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of the country's spy agencies.
"Will this group have top secret clearance? If so, how can we be sure the information they will have access to will be
secure?
"Will the Inspector-General be sharing intelligence with them? Where will the line be drawn?"
The full list of those people on the panel:
Ben Creet - Issues Manager, Internet NZ
Professor Rouben Azizian - Director, Centre for Defence and Security Studies, Massey University
Dr Nicole Moreham - Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Victoria University of Wellington
Dr Paul Buchanan - Director, 36th Parallel Assessments
David Fisher - Journalist, New Zealand Herald
John Ip - Senior Lecturer, Assistant Dean (Academic), Faculty of Law, University of Auckland
Nicky Hager - Journalist, Author
Thomas Beagle - Chairperson, NZ Council for Civil Liberties
Treasa Dunworth - Associate Professor, Public International Law, University of Auckland
Suzanne Snively - Chair, Transparency International
Deborah Manning - Barrister