27 Oct 2017

Spy watchdog still investigating NZ's CIA link

12:52 pm on 27 October 2017

New Zealand's spy watchdog has confirmed it is still looking into whether New Zealand was involved in an American CIA detention and interrogation programme.

Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Cheryl Gwyn.

Cheryl Gwyn has been investigating the link for several years. Photo: RNZ

The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Cheryl Gwyn first made the surprise announcement of the inquiry two years ago.

In a response today to London-based pressure group Privacy International, she says the inquiry is ongoing.

She said it was focused on what safeguards New Zealand had to avoid being implicated in the rendition programme, which included torture and ended in 2009.

She said her inquiry would also assess what policies and practices were currently in place.

Ms Gwyn's office told RNZ several months ago that the release of the inquiry's report was imminent.