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New chief appointed to head New Zealand's foreign spy agency

Xinhua, March 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

New Zealand's foreign intelligence agency is to have its fourth head in less than two years after the government appointed a long-term chief Wednesday.

Prime Minister John Key announced the appointment of career public servant Andrew Hampton as the director of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) for a five-year term commencing April 26.

"His leadership skills and public service experience will help strengthen the GCSB and ensure it fulfil its important role in protecting our national security and wellbeing within the constraints of the law," Key said in a statement.

Hampton is currently the government chief talent officer at the State Services Commission, which conducted the recruitment process for the GCSB leadership.

GCSB chief legal advisor Lisa Fong was appointed acting director on Feb. 15 and would continue in the role until Hampton took over.

Fong replaced acting director Una Jagose who became GCSB acting director on Feb. 28 last year, taking over from Ian Fletcher, who left after a three-year tenure overshadowed by accusations of illegal spying and politicization of the intelligence services.

Fletcher led the implementation of a review of the GCSB's activities after it was found to have illegally spied on more than 80 New Zealand residents and citizens before 2012.

He was also in charge when the government passed a controversial law in August 2013 to extend the spying powers of the GCSB, so it could spy on New Zealand citizens and residents.

An official review of the GCSB and its sister agency the Security Intelligence Service, published earlier this month, proposed extending the ability of New Zealand's security agencies to spy on New Zealanders. Endit