National terrorism threat level annual review 2021
Harold made this Official Information request to New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
The request was successful.
From: Harold
Dear New Zealand Security Intelligence Service,
I request a copy of the annual review of the national terrorism threat level, completed February 2021.
Yours faithfully,
Harold
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
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From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
Kia ora Oscar
We refer to your official information request below.
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 23 June 2021. This extension is required 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.
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.
Ngā mihi
NZSIS
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From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
Dear Harold,
Please find attached a response to your OIA request for a copy of the annual review of the national terrorism threat level.
Kind regards
NZSIS
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From: Harold
Dear NZSIS,
Thank you for your reply.
I notice NZSIS have taken a different approach to fulfilling this request than a similar request made by Azad Khan on this website, where the CTAG assessments themselves were released (albeit with redactions):
https://fyi.org.nz/request/14392-assessm...
I think it is fair to say that the assessments released to Khan reveal more to the public about NZSIS' work and their understanding of the threat environment than the summary you have provided to me.
I also wonder if a release processed the same way as Azad's would shed light on topics not mentioned in your summary, as for instance CTAG's understanding of the affect of COVID-19 on the threat environment - a topic which presumably does not warrant withholding as Director Kitteridge has referred to it publically.
To improve my understanding of NZSIS' decision-making process, I would appreciate it if you are able to explain why my request required a different treatment to Azad's. This will help me decide if I should refer this to the Ombudsman, as at the moment it does seem to me like this is warranted.
Yours sincerely,
Harold
From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
Kia ora Harold,
Thank you for your email. The reason that a different approach has been taken to your request than the requests you refer to is because of the currency of the document you requested.
The other documents requested were the 2015 CTAG Threat Assessment, and assessments from 2017-2019. More information could be released in those instances because the information was three to six years old, so release of the information has less impact on current investigations and operations. Additionally, much of the information in these documents had been covered in the Royal Commission of Inquiry, so was already in the public domain.
As the document you requested is from the last six months, the release of much of the information within the document would impact current counter-terrorism investigations. Due to the amount of information that would need to be redacted in the document, we consider that a redacted document would be hard to follow and a summary provides the information in a more readable format.
If you would like to receive a redacted version of the document, please let us know.
Kind regards
NZSIS
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From: Harold
Dear NZSIS,
Thank you for the reply, it was informative.
I would like receive a redacted version of the assessment.
Yours sincerely,
Harold
From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
Hi Harold
We will prepare the document for release and send it to you as soon as we can.
Thanks
NZSIS
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From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
2021 02 01 CTAG TA New Zealand Terrorism Threat Level remains at MEDIUM.pdf
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2021 08 16 Harold OIA response.pdf
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Kia ora Harold,
Please see attached a response to your request, as well as a redacted copy of the assessment.
Kind regards
NZSIS
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Similar requests
Combined Threat Assessment Group’s July 2015 New Zealand’s Terrorism Threatscape Assessment
To Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet by Azad Khan
