PO Box 12-209
Wellington 6144
P +64 4 472 6881
F +64 4 499 3701
www.gcsb.govt.nz
A16862235
1 December 2022
Scott
[FYI request #20734 email]
Tēnā koe Scott
Official information request for GCSB policies
I refer to your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request to the Government
Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) dated 3 October 2022 for copies of GCSB policies.
On 25 October 2022 you were of an extension to the time limit for responding to this
request, to 1 December 2022, due to the consultations necessary to make a decision.
I have responded to each of your questions below.
ONE: Incidental Intelligence Policy (PS-216) if the current version is different to the one
uploaded to the GCSB website.
PS-216 has been revoked and replaced with
PS-135: Incidental y Obtained Information. We will
be releasing a copy of PS-135, with some information withheld under section 6(a) of the OIA,
as release would be likely to prejudice the security or defence of New Zealand. A copy of this
document is being prepared for release and will be sent to you in due course.
TWO: Personal Information Policy for Information Collected for Operational Purposes (PS-
131) if the current version is different to the one uploaded to the GCSB website.
PS-131 was revoked and replaced by
JPS-009: Privacy in 2018. In 2020, JPS-009 was updated
to reflect changes to legislation with the introduction of the Privacy Act 2020. Please find
attached a copy of the 2018 and 2020 versions of JPS-009. Some information has been
withheld under section 6(a) of the OIA, as release would be likely to prejudice the security or
defence of New Zealand.
THREE: Nationality Policy if the current version is different to the one uploaded to the GCSB
website.
The GCSB’s current Nationality Policy is
PP-1019: New Zealand Purpose and Nationality. We will
be releasing a summary of PP-1019, as allowed for under section 16(1)(e) of the OIA, in order
to protect the interests of section 6(a). The summary is currently being prepared for release
and will be sent to you in due course.
FOUR: Joint GCSB and NZSIS Policy Framework (PS-100).
We will be releasing a summary of this document, as allowed for under section 16(1)(e) of
the OIA, in order to protect the interests of section 6(a). The summary is currently being
prepared for release and will be sent to you in due course.
FIVE: The most recent IGIS work programme refers to a set of GCSB policies relating to
collection against New Zealanders which were then under review… I would like to request
copies of the policies referred to here, if they are different to the ones I requested above.
The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) has not yet commenced his review
of GCSB policies; as such, we do not know which specific policies will be in-scope of the
review. I am therefore refusing your request under section 18(g) of the OIA, as the
information requested is not held by the GCSB and I have no grounds to believe the
information is held by another department or is more closely associated with the functions
of another department. As you may be aware, the IGIS is not subject to the OIA, so we are
not able to transfer this request to their office for response.
Review
If you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact
[GCSB 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.
Yours sincerely
Andrew Hampton Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Tira Tiaki
Director-General, Government Communications Security Bureau
