The country's spy bosses will be appearing in secret before the select committee considering new anti-terrorism legislation today, Radio New Zealand reports.
Security Intelligence Service director Rebecca Kitteridge and Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Cheryl Gwyn will answer questions that emerged during the rushed public consultation on the bill.
The bill will allow the SIS to conduct video surveillance without a warrant for up to 48 hours.
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee member David Shearer said the public submission process raised a number of questions that needed answering by the spy bosses.
Labour was still determined to try to limit any new powers for spies, while ensuring there were safeguards, he said. “If anything needs to be done it should be the absolute minimum. We should be as conservative as possible given the fact that, generally, intelligence doesn't go back to being less intrusive, it usually becomes more intrusive.”
The committee will report back to Parliament tomorrow and the bill will be law by Christmas.
