Reconfiguring the Relationship Between Intelligence Professionals and the Public: A First Step Towards Democratising New Zealand’s National Security?

The secrecy surrounding intelligence work has meant the relationship between New Zealand professionals and public they serve always been somewhat problematic. Over past decade, leaks, scandals a deadly act of terrorism have certainly not improved public’s trust confidence in Security Intelligence Service Government Communications Bureau. While undertaken several measures to strengthen credibility those agencies, including initiating inquiries bolstering governance arrangements, its current approach is rather limited, reached limits could now be counterproductive. In light recommendations made by Royal Commission Inquiry into Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Mosques 15 March 2019 increase involvement Zealand’s counterterrorism effort, we argue that it time for this problematic rethought reconfigured. To end, identify concrete actions parliamentarians university leaders consider taking actively support as foster society informed citizens create new opportunities bring national security matters heart democracy’s deliberative processes. Keywords: terrorism, inquiries, official secrecy, transparency, expertise.