Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/14986-underlying-documents-mentioned-in-the-royal-commission-report on November 22, 2024 05:44

Underlying documents mentioned in the Royal Commission report

Sebastian made this Official Information request to New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

The request was successful.

From: Sebastian

Dear New Zealand Security Intelligence Service,

This is a request for certain underlying documents referred to in the 15 March Royal Commission report. All are referred to in Part 8, Chapter 4 of the report: "Assessment of the Terrorism Threatscape":

https://christchurchattack.royalcommissi...

The twelve documents requested are as follows.

ONE: Paragraph within Chapter: Paragraph 64:

“One month later, in September 2011, the Combined Threat Assessment Group issued a threat assessment titled Availability of Firearms in New Zealand to Terrorists, Violent Extremists and Acutely Disaffected Persons.”

I request a copy of this report.

TWO: Paragraph 82:

“In December 2011, the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service observed the “notable increase in groups across Europe espousing hard-line nationalist and anti-immigration rhetoric” and the resurgence of neo-Nazi groups in the United States of America and Europe.”

I request a copy of the report containing this observation.

THREE: Paragraph 17:

“Several high quality assessments focused on New Zealand’s domestic terrorism environment were produced during this time (2013–2014) through the National Assessments Committee. These included a report by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service… which discussed the terrorist threat posed by the extreme right‑wing.”

I request a copy of this report.

FOUR: Paragraph 36:

“An assessment of the domestic threat from Islamist extremist and other sources of terrorism was produced [by CTAG] in 2014…”

I request a copy of this report.

FIVE: Paragraph 37:

“In July 2015 the Combined Threat Assessment Group produced the New Zealand Terrorism Threatscape.”

I request a copy of this report.

SIX: Paragraph 45:

“We have seen only one shared report in the past decade, published by the Combined Threat Assessment Group and the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, that substantively assessed online extremist activity in New Zealand.”

I request a copy of this report.

SEVEN: Paragraph 69:

“One of the reasons for that limited coverage [of extremist left-wing and right-wing groups internationally] was explained in an earlier Combined Threat Assessment Group paper from September 2017.”

I request a copy of this paper.

EIGHT: I request a copy of the New Zealand Terrorism Threatscape dated January 2018.

NINE: I request a copy of Simon Murdoch's report, dated July 2018: "CTAG 2018: Its placement in New Zealand’s counter-terrorism system architecture and its location; an independent view."

TEN: Paragraph 86:

“In July 2018, the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service produced its Information & Intelligence Requirements Extreme Right-wing (XRW) Activity in New Zealand.”

I request a copy of this report.

ELEVEN: Regarding the counter-terrorism tabletop training Response exercise carried out by NZSIS and Police in October 2018, I request a copy of any document held by NZSIS serving as a formal debriefing, evaluation or review of the "XRW" or mosque attack scenario covered in this exercise

TWELVE: Paragraph 38:

“The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service’s Strategic Intelligence Analysis team began producing its quarterly New Zealand Terrorism Updates in December 2017.”

I request copies of the New Zealand Terrorism Updates dated 4 December 2018 and 5 March 2019. Failing that, I request the sections of these reports dealing with the threat of right wing extremism.

Yours faithfully,

Sebastian

Link to this

From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Tēnā koe,

Thank you for your Official Information Act request.

We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and, in any event, no later than 20 working days after the day that your request was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact [NZSIS request email].

Ngā mihi,
NZSIS

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Kia ora Sebastian,

We refer to your official information request dated 23 March, for underlying documents mentioned in Part 8, Chapter 4 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry report.

The Official Information Act 1982 requires that we advise you of our decision on your request no later than 20 working days after the day that we received your request. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to meet that time limit and we are, therefore, writing to notify you of an extension of the time to make our decision, to 21 May 2021.

This extension is necessary because the consultations necessary to make a decision on your request are such that a proper response cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with us, including this decision, please feel free to contact [NZSIS request email].

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

Kind regards
NZSIS

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Dear Sebastian,

We refer to your official information request dated 23 March 2021 as outlined below.

We have transferred the following part of your request to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC):
THREE: Paragraph 17: “Several high quality assessments focused on New Zealand’s domestic terrorism environment were produced during this time (2013–2014) through the National Assessments Committee. These included a report by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service… which discussed the terrorist threat posed by the extreme right‑wing.”

For context, the document you refer to was issued by the National Assessments Committee (part of DPMC), and as such the information is believed to more closely connected with the functions of DPMC. In these circumstances, we are required by section 14 of the Official Information Act 1982 to transfer your request.

You will hear further from DPMC concerning this part of your request.

Kind regards
NZSIS

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Attachment 7.Threatscape United Kingdom.pdf
1.2M Download View as HTML

Attachment 8.New Zealand Threat Assessment 2018.pdf
1.0M Download View as HTML

Attachment 9.Simon Murdoch CTAG Review 2018.pdf
1.1M Download View as HTML

Attachment 11.Counter terrorism Tabletop Exercise Summary.pdf
33K Download View as HTML

Attachment 2021 05 21 Sebastian OIA Response.pdf
693K Download View as HTML

Attachment 2.The Terrorism Threat to New Zealand.pdf
1.0M Download View as HTML

Attachment 4.CTAG Threat Assessment New Zealand Terrorism 2014.pdf
4.1M Download View as HTML

Attachment 5.CTAG Threat Assessment New Zealand Terrorism 2015.pdf
3.2M Download View as HTML

Attachment 6.Online extremist activity in New Zealand.pdf
1.1M Download View as HTML

Good afternoon Sebastian,

Please find attached a response to your OIA request (below), along with the documents that have been approved for release.

Kind regards
NZSIS

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Information [DPMC]

Attachment image001.png
24K Download

Attachment Sebastian response.pdf
515K Download View as HTML

Attachment 4378821 Release document Sebastian The Right Wing in New Zealand Myth vs Reality.PDF.pdf
14.3M Download View as HTML

 

 

[UNCLASSIFIED]

 

Kia ora koe,

 

Please see the attached letter regarding your recent OIA request.

 

Ngā mihi,

 

Ministerial Coordinator
Ministerial and Business Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
E    [1][email address]
 
[2]cid:image002.png@01D43609.296F69C0
 
The information contained in this email message is for the attention of
the intended recipient only and is not necessarily the official view or
communication of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. If you
are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, copy or distribute
this message or the information in it. If you have received this message
in error, please destroy the email and notify the sender immediately.

 

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]

Link to this

From: Sebastian

Dear Information [DPMC],

Thank you for your reply, but I don't believe this is the document I was after. For clarity, here is the full paragraph in the Royal Commission report referring to the document:

"Several high quality assessments focused on New Zealand’s domestic terrorism environment were produced during this time (2013–2014) through the National Assessments Committee. These included a report by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service and two reports from New Zealand Police, which discussed the terrorist threat posed by the extreme right‑wing."

The one I'm after is the "report by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service." I am not requesting either of the New Zealand Police reports.

Thank you,

Sebastian

Link to this

From: Information [DPMC]

Tēnā koe 

 

Thank you for emailing the Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet (DPMC), including the National Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA).   

Please note, DPMC is not able to respond to emails that are
outside its purview. If the subject of your email does not relate to the
work of DPMC, we will forward your email to the appropriate Minister
or agency who will respond to you directly. To find out more about the
functions of DPMC please view our website - [1]https://dpmc.govt.nz/ 

 

If your correspondence is intended for the Prime Minister please email her
office at - [2][email address]. Contact information for other
Members of Parliament can be found at
- [3]https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involve...

  

If you are writing about an issue relating to COVID-19, we encourage you
to first refer to the [4]COVID-19 website. Here’s a list of links that you
may find helpful: 

o [5]Current Alert Level
o [6]Latest Government COVID-19 information
o [7]Jobs, training and financial support
o [8]Travel and the border
o [9]Mental wellbeing, accessing health care and violence protection
o [10]Information for businesses
o [11]Proactive release of Government Response documents
o [12]Managed Isolation and Quarantine 

If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, please call your local GP or
contact the Healthline team on 0800 358 5453

Common Questions:

* Official Information Act (OIA) Requests will be formally acknowledged
during office hours and actioned accordingly. For more information
about the statutory OIA timeframes please see
- [13]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/.
* For Job opportunities within DPMC please see
- [14]https://centralagenciesjobs.cass.govt.nz.... Please use
this website to apply for vacancies, unfortunately resumes received
through other avenues will not be considered.
* New Zealand Visas and requests for asylum are managed by Immigration
New Zealand. Please see - [15]https://www.immigration.govt.nz/. 

We hope one of the above links helps answer your question.  

 

We appreciate your patience at this time. Thanks again and please take
care.

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Attachment 1.Availability of Firearms in New Zealand.pdf
3.9M Download View as HTML

Kia ora Sebastian,

Further to our letter of 21 May 2021, please find attached a copy of the Combined Threat Assessment Group (CTAG) Threat Report issued on 19 September 2011, titled "Availability of Firearms in New Zealand to Terrorists, Violent Extremists and Acutely Disaffected Persons".

Per our original response, some redactions have been made to this document under s6(a) and s6(b)(i) of the OIA.

The documents requested as part 12 of your request will be sent in due course, likely within the next fortnight.

Kind regards,
NZSIS

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Information [DPMC]

Kia ora Sebastian

Thank you for your email and sincere apologies that the NAC document DPMC released to you relating to terrorism and the extreme right-wing was not the item you intended.

We note you are seeking a "report by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service" (NZSIS) as outlined below.

DPMC has been in contact with the NZSIS regarding your email, and has been advised that although the NZSIS document mentioned in the Royal Commission's Report relates to terrorism, it does not reference the extreme right-wing.

If you are still interested in receiving a copy of the NZSIS document, please advise the NZSIS by emailing [NZSIS request email].

Kind regards

Ministerial Coordinator
Ministerial Services
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

E    [email address]

The information contained in this email message is for the attention of the intended recipient only and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. If you are not the intended recipient you must not disclose, copy or distribute this message or the information in it. If you have received this message in error, please destroy the email and notify the sender immediately.

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Sebastian

Dear DPMC,

Thank you for your reply. The passage in the Royal Commission report was ambiguously worded, so I appreciate this clarification. I will follow up with NZSIS to request a copy.

Yours sincerely,

Sebastian

Link to this

From: Sebastian

Dear New Zealand Security Intelligence Service,

I am following up to renew my request for the NZSIS document referred to in this paragraph of the Royal Commission report:

"Several high quality assessments focused on New Zealand’s domestic terrorism environment were produced during this time (2013–2014) through the National Assessments Committee. These included a report by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service and two reports from New Zealand Police, which discussed the terrorist threat posed by the extreme right‑wing."

DPMC have made it clear to me that this report does not in fact discuss the terrorist threat posed by the extreme right-wing, as I inititally took the above to mean, and my initial request described a document which does not exist.

Knowing this now, I would still like to request a copy of the NZSIS report referred to here, as it is of interest to me to know how assessments produced during this 2013-2014 period differ from other periods.

Yours faithfully,

Sebastian

Link to this

From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Tēnā koe,

Thank you for your Official Information Act request.

We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and, in any event, no later than 20 working days after the day that your request was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact [NZSIS request email].

Ngā mihi,
NZSIS

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Attachment NZ Terrorism Update Sep Nov 2018.pdf
800K Download View as HTML

Attachment NZ Terrorism Update Dec 2018 Feb 2019.pdf
76K Download View as HTML

Kia ora Sebastian,

Further to our letter of 21 May 2021, please find attached the final two documents you have requested: copies of the New Zealand Terrorism Updates dated 4 December 2018 and 5 March 2019.

Per our original response, we are unable to release the documents in their entirety, as doing so would be likely to prejudice the security or defence of New Zealand, as protected by section 6(a) of the OIA. We are releasing an unclassified summary of these reports as allowed for under section 16(1)(e) of the OIA.

This concludes our response to your request.

Kind regards,
NZSIS

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Attachment NAC 6 2014 15 Terrorism in New Zealand.pdf
376K Download View as HTML

Attachment 2021 07 01 Sebastian OIA response.pdf
332K Download View as HTML

Good afternoon Sebastian,

Please find attached a response to your OIA request (below).

Kind regards
NZSIS

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Sebastian

Dear NZSIS,

Thank you for your responses to date. I would like to make a follow up to my request of 23 March.

I would like to request copies of the following three sets of documents:

ONE: The speaking notes prepared by NZSIS for the closed session of the February 2019 Intelligence and Security Committee meeting.

TWO: A July 2019 “Security Intelligence Report on extreme right-wing online activity in New Zealand” is described in the RCOI report as an outcome of the XRW baselining project [RCOI Part 8 Chapter 17.5]. I request a copy of this report.

THREE: In December 2018 the NZSIS initiated an inter-agency meeting to discuss the XRW terror threat [RCOI Part 8 Chapter 12 para 25]. Meeting attendees included representatives of Police and Customs [RCOI Part 8 Chapter 8 para 44]. I request copies of any minutes or other notes produced by NZSIS in preparation for or during the meeting, and any write-up or other document which summarises the meeting and its outcomes.

Yours sincerely,

Sebastian

Link to this

From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Kia ora

 

Thank you for your message. We endeavour to respond to emails within one
working day.

 

Kind regards

NZSIS

 

 

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Tēnā koe

Thank you for your Official Information Act request.

We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible and, in any event, no later than 20 working days after the day that your request was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will notify you of an extension of that timeframe.

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact [NZSIS request email].

Ngā mihi
NZSIS

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Attachment 2021 10 18 Sebastian OIA response.pdf
572K Download View as HTML

Kia ora Sebastian

Please find attached a response to your OIA request (below).

Kind regards
NZSIS

show quoted sections

Link to this

Things to do with this request

Anyone:
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service only: