The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security is a New Zealand official who is responsible for supervising the country's two main intelligence agencies, the Security Intelligence Service and the Government Communications Security Bureau. The Inspector-General is responsible for ensuring that these agencies comply with the law, and with investigating public complaints about their activities. The Inspector-General has no jurisdiction over the activities of the National Assessments Bureau.[1]
The Inspector-General is chosen by the Prime Minister, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. The appointee must be a retired High Court judge. The Inspector-General makes an annual report to the Prime Minister, with a copy going to the Leader of the Opposition. A version with secret information removed is presented to Parliament.
The position of Inspector-General was created in 1996. It replaced an earlier Commissioner for Security Appeals, a position created in 1969.