Any past intelligence documents of anything relating to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
JR made this Official Information request to New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
This request has an unknown status. We're waiting for JR to read recent responses and update the status.
From: JR
Tēnā koe New Zealand Security Intelligence Service,
I am requesting any past intelligence documents of anything relating to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
This especially concerns any reports in 1949 of any prominent security, intelligence or military reporting (including maps). However, I am requesting any documents/reports from 1922 to 1991, where there is any ‘major threat’ that is written in the report.
You may refuse my request under section 6(a) of the OIA, as the release would be detrimental to the security and defence of New Zealand. However as the USSR has fallen I do not believe there is any active threat.
I do note that on your website you hold this documents (see below) -
1919 – 1941 New Zealand Police: security intelligence records
1941 – 1945 Security Intelligence Bureau (established by military; operating under Police control 1943 – 1945): all records
1945 – 1949 New Zealand Police: security intelligence records
1949 – 1956 New Zealand Police Special Branch: most records
1956 – 1969 New Zealand Security Service: all records
1969 to date New Zealand Security Intelligence Service: all records
As per the OIA, by law you need to give your decision on my request as soon as possible and no later than 20 working days after you receive my request (unless an extension is made).
I look forward to hearing from you and your response.
Ngā mihi,
J
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
Tēnā koe JR
You have requested any past intelligence documents of anything relating to the USSR. "This especially concerns any reports in 1949 of any prominent security, intelligence or military reporting (including maps). However, I am requesting any documents/reports from 1922 to 1991, where there is any ‘major threat’ that is written in the report."
By way of background, the information held by the NZSIS relates to national security, defined for the majority of the period of interest to you, as the protection of New Zealand from acts of espionage, sabotage, subversion and terrorism. There is no military reporting.
The amount of research required to locate any document pertaining to the USSR that may include the words "major threat" is such that as currently framed, your request is likely to be declined under the provisions of section 18(f) of the OIA. Before refusing however, we are inviting you to specify your request with due particularity (see s 12(2) of the OIA), in terms of subject and timeframe.
Ngā mihi
NZSIS
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From: JR
Tēnā koe NZSIS,
Thanks for your response.
I am requesting information pertaining to the USSR and any security threats to NZ. I understand that there would be a delay in an intelligence assessment on the selected dates. It would be ideal to have the intelligence documents from around 5-10 days of either side of the dates I am concerned with.
The dates I am concerned with are below -
30 March 1948 (I want anything within 5-10 days of this date) if it is readily able to be accessed.
13 August 1961 (construction of the Berlin wall).
9 November 1989 (Berlin wall fell).
Ngā mihi,
J
From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
Kia ora JR
Thank you for amending your request; the amended wording should be
sufficient to enable us to identify relevant information in-scope. We
understand your request to be for: any intelligence documents pertaining
to the USSR and security threats to New Zealand, within 10 days of the
following dates:
· 30 March 1948
· 13 August 1961
· 9 November 1989
If we have interpreted this incorrectly, please let us know.
The new deadline for your request is 29 April 2022, being twenty working
days after the amendment of your request.
Kind regards
NZSIS
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From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
Hello JR
We refer to your clarified official information request as outlined 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 13 May 2022.
This extension is necessary because 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.
Kind regards
NZSIS
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From: OIA Privacy
New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
Tēnā koe JR
The Director-General's response to your OIA request is attached.
Ngā mihi
NZSIS
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