New Zealand Security Matters

Rhys and Martin talk about Intelligence and Leadership in this episode – looking at the four most recent Directors-General of NZSIS, as New Zealand prepares to recruit the next head of the Service. What are the important attributes that a head of an intelligence service needs to have? Is it now the time for an internal candidate to be appointed, or maybe a chief executive from the private sector? Should the status quo remain or maybe it is time to push the boundaries…listen to Martin and Rhys and their take on what a Spy Master should look like today    Send your questions to nzsecmatters@gmail.com or via Twitter @nzsecmattersThe job description for NZSIS Director-General is referenced in this episode. The link is here: https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/news/director-general-of-security-and-chief-executive-of-the-new-zealand-security-intelligence-service/ For those interested to learn more about the Ahmed Zaoui case, Rhys recommends John Keir’s “Enemy of the State: The Ahmed Zaoui File” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enemy-of-the-state-the-ahmed-zaoui-file/id1577663978

Feedback on the show has been good and some questions have come in from listeners, so Rhys and Martin tackle a few of those including a bit more on Martin’s background and what he has in common with Vladimir Putin. Rhys will answer questions about keeping current once you leave an intelligence agency. They also talk about what a ‘customer’ of intelligence is.Rhys and Martin then talk about their intelligence highlights for 2022 and this will touch on CIA and Ukraine, expulsions of Russian intelligence officers, and the release by NZSIS of the violent extremism indicators.Send your questions to nzsecmatters@gmail.com or via Twitter @nzsecmattersAn NZSIS guide called ‘Know the Signs’ is referenced in this episode. The link is here: https://www.nzsis.govt.nz/news/nzsis-releases-first-ever-guide-to-help-identify-signs-of-violent-extremism/The coordinated review into the LynnMall attack was also referenced. The link is here: https://www.ipca.govt.nz/Site/publications-and-media/2022-media-releases/2022-dec-14-coordinated-review-lynnmall-attack-auckland.aspx

In this first episode Rhys and Martin introduce themselves and explain why their backgrounds support that they’re well placed to talk about intelligence and security in New Zealand.They start talking about the value of intelligence to support decision-making and the nexus between intelligence agencies and policy-makers.Rhys challenges Martin on the difference between intelligence and evidence highlighting how difficult some of these conversations can be…we’ll come back to that in a future episode!An information sheet on intelligence published by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is referenced. The link is here: https://dpmc.govt.nz/our-programmes/national-security-and-intelligence/intelligence-and-security-act-2017/what-is-intelligenceSend your questions to nzsecmatters@gmail.com or via Twitter @nzsecmatters