Retired Court of Appeal judge Sir Bruce Robertson has been appointed to a key decision-making position over whether the SIS can spy on New Zealanders.
Sir Bruce will take up the role of Commissioner of Security Warrants for a three year term.
He takes over from Sir John Jeffries who has been in the job since it was established in 1999.
The Security Intelligence Service must apply for warrants to intercept private communications of New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
Those warrants are issued jointly by the Commissioner and the Minister in Charge of the SIS, who is the Prime Minister.
