External Assessments Bureau
Encyclopedia
The National Assessments Bureau (NAB) is one of New Zealand's intelligence agencies
. It was formerly known as the External Assessments Bureau when it was renamed as its current status in 2010. It assesses foreign and domestic security threats to New Zealand
.
, Government Communications Security Bureau
, and New Zealand diplomatic posts
, other information comes from academic discourse, the media, and other publicly available sources. The EAB itself does not undertake intelligence-gathering operations its role is to interpret and process information from other sources, producing reports which may be used as a basis for decision-making in other branches of government.
Unlike the SIS and GCSB, the NAB is not subject to the oversight of the Intelligence and Security Committee or the jurisdiction of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security
.
and the Ministry of Defence. The organisation adopted its present name in 1988.
The NAB is part of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
, having been absorbed in 1991. As such, it answers directly to the Prime Minister
. The EAB's reports are guided by the National Assessments Committee, a sub-committee of the Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination.
In March 2010 the EAB was renamed the National Assessments Bureau and given a domestic security focus as well.
New Zealand intelligence agencies
New Zealand's intelligence agencies and units have existed, with some interruption, since World War II. At present, New Zealand's intelligence community has approximately 500 employees, and has a combined budget of around NZ$80 million.-Standalone agencies:...
. It was formerly known as the External Assessments Bureau when it was renamed as its current status in 2010. It assesses foreign and domestic security threats to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
Role
The NAB is responsible for collecting and analysing information on external matters which may affect New Zealand, including foreign states, individuals, and events. It draws on both public and confidential sources while some of its information comes from the Security Intelligence ServiceNew Zealand Security Intelligence Service
The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service is an intelligence agency of the New Zealand government.-Purpose:As a civilian organisation, the Security Intelligence Service takes no part in the enforcement of security...
, Government Communications Security Bureau
Government Communications Security Bureau
The Government Communications Security Bureau is an intelligence agency of the New Zealand government.The mission statement is given as:To contribute to the national security of New Zealand through:...
, and New Zealand diplomatic posts
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is the New Zealand Government ministry responsible for promoting New Zealand's interests in trade and international relations....
, other information comes from academic discourse, the media, and other publicly available sources. The EAB itself does not undertake intelligence-gathering operations its role is to interpret and process information from other sources, producing reports which may be used as a basis for decision-making in other branches of government.
Unlike the SIS and GCSB, the NAB is not subject to the oversight of the Intelligence and Security Committee or the jurisdiction of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security
Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (New Zealand)
The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security is a New Zealand official who is responsible for supervising the country's two main intelligence agencies, theSecurity Intelligence Service and the Government Communications Security Bureau...
.
History
A forerunner to the NAB, the Joint Intelligence Office, was originally established in 1949. In 1953, it was renamed the Joint Intelligence Bureau. In 1975, the Joint Intelligence Bureau was incorporated into a new organisation, the External Intelligence Bureau, which also assumed a number of responsibilities formerly undertaken by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign AffairsNew Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is the New Zealand Government ministry responsible for promoting New Zealand's interests in trade and international relations....
and the Ministry of Defence. The organisation adopted its present name in 1988.
The NAB is part of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (New Zealand)
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet of New Zealand is the department charged with supporting the Prime Minister of New Zealand and their Cabinet...
, having been absorbed in 1991. As such, it answers directly to the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
. The EAB's reports are guided by the National Assessments Committee, a sub-committee of the Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination.
In March 2010 the EAB was renamed the National Assessments Bureau and given a domestic security focus as well.