Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Intelligence and Security Act 2017

Intelligence and security agencies - Duties

18: Specific duties of Director-General of an intelligence and security agency

You could also call this:

"The boss of a security agency must keep the agency focused on its job and working fairly."

Illustration for Intelligence and Security Act 2017

The Director-General of an intelligence and security agency must make sure the agency only does things that are relevant to its job. You can think of it like a teacher making sure their students are only doing tasks that are part of their school work. The Director-General must also keep the agency's work free from any influence that is not relevant to its job, and make sure the agency stays neutral and does not favour any political party or candidate. The agency must work with other countries and organisations in a way that follows New Zealand law and respects human rights. When the agency works with other countries, it must do so in accordance with New Zealand law and human rights obligations, you can find more information about this in the New Zealand legislation and other related laws like this one.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM7118913.

Topics:
Government and voting > Government departmentsRights and equality > Anti-discriminationRights and equality > PrivacyCrime and justice > Police and safety
Previous

17: General duties applying when intelligence and security agency performing functions, or

"Intelligence agencies must follow the law and be fair and honest when doing their job."

Next

19: Activities of intelligence and security agency not to limit freedom of expression, or

"You can express your thoughts without fear of spy agencies stopping you."

Part 2Intelligence and security agencies
Duties

18Specific duties of Director-General of an intelligence and security agency

  1. The Director-General of an intelligence and security agency must take all reasonable steps to ensure that—

  2. the activities of the agency are—
    1. limited to those that are relevant to the performance of its functions; and
      1. kept free from any influence or consideration that is not relevant to the performance of its functions; and
        1. politically neutral (for example, the activities are not carried out for the purpose of promoting or harming the interests of any political party or candidate); and
        2. any co-operation with foreign jurisdictions and international organisations in the performance of any of the agency’s functions is in accordance with New Zealand law and all human rights obligations recognised by New Zealand law.

          Compare