The purpose of this Act is to protect New Zealand as a free and democratic society. You can think of New Zealand as a country where people are free to make their own choices and have a say in how the country is run. This Act aims to keep New Zealand safe and secure by establishing agencies that will help protect the country.

These agencies will work to protect New Zealand's national security, which means keeping the country and its people safe from harm. They will also help with international relations, which is about how New Zealand interacts with other countries, and the country's economic well-being, which is about how well New Zealand is doing financially. The agencies will also help with the economic well-being of New Zealand, which is important for the country's growth and development.

The Act gives these agencies the powers and duties they need to do their job, but it also makes sure they follow New Zealand law and respect human rights. You have human rights, which are like rules that make sure you are treated fairly and with respect. The agencies must work with integrity and professionalism, which means they must be honest and do their job in a responsible way. They must also be transparent and allow for democratic oversight, which means that the government and the public can check on what they are doing. The Act also ensures that the agencies are subject to oversight and safeguards, which means that there are checks in place to make sure they do not abuse their powers.