Wrong, says the Prime Minister of the surveillance stories, but he won't say why. David Fisher analyses the Edward Snowden leaks.

The watchdog tasked with overseeing the country's spy agencies says it is not yet possible to say that they have adequate systems in place to ensure correct behaviour.

Facebook pages encouraging violence on behalf of Isis are among factors increasing NZ's official terrorism risk and leading to a recruitment drive for new spies.

In the film Zero Dark Thirty, she was the persistent, conscientious CIA officer who finally tracked Osama bin Laden to his lair.

The MP who chaired the anti-terrorist legislation rushed through Parliament last week, MarkMitchell, says the bill was "100 per cent" justified.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters called an expansion of the SIS's surveillance powers "Nazism" in Parliament last night.

Cheryl Gwyn won't comment on whether John Key's text exchange with Cameron Slater will be part of her investigation into the leak of her recent report into the SIS' handling of an OIA request from Slater.

SIS director Rebecca Kitteridge has been recalled today to answer questions by MPs on the committee considering extensions to the powers of the domestic spy agency.

Security Intelligence Service boss Rebecca Kitteridge should have told Phil Goff to get stuffed, writes Rodney Hide.

NZ’s spy watchdog Cheryl Gwyn is to investigate Labour MP Phil Goff’s acknowledgement he disclosed findings from her SIS report before its release.

The Government’s plans to allow the SIS to conduct surveillance without a warrant for up to 48 hours may not get enough support.

The Opposition says the PM John Key is "in denial" over a report which backs allegations his staff used information from the SIS for a smear campaign.

Prime Minister John Key says he will not offer an apology to Labour's Phil Goff over the involvement in the OIA request by Whaleoil blogger Cam Slater to SIS head Warren Tucker.

SIS director Rebecca Kitteridge has given three apologies over the actions of the SIS in 2011 when Warren Tucker was director - to Phil Goff, Andrew Little and John Key.

A report by intelligence watchdog Cheryl Gwyn has found blogger Cameron Slater requested and published damaging material about Phil Goff from the SIS.

If there's one thing that irks Rebecca Kitteridge, it is being referred to as the new head of the SIS spy agency.

The SIS, the country's domestic spying agency, looks set to gain greater powers in a quickfire overhaul of terrorism laws despite the PM's assertion there's a "low risk" to NZ.

Phone companies have revealed the extent of Govt agency spying on their networks, with more than 70 secret wire taps last year in New Zealand alone.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says he wants the GCSB law clarified as quickly as possible with as little politicking as possible.

Kim Dotcom's company Mega is warily eyeing proposed legislation that may oblige it to open its systems to surveillance by spy agencies the GCSB and SIS.

Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom is trying to drag one of the country's most senior police officers into court.

The Security Intelligence Service blocked Kim Dotcom's application for residency after learning of the FBI investigation into internet piracy then lifted it at the last minute.