The Intelligence and Security Committee has received a briefing on long-term national security threats which has incorporated a public survey and public consultation which found New Zealanders perceive threats to national security are increasing.
It's part of the job of MPs to be up to date with the latest national security threats, which is particularly necessary at a time of rapid technological and climate change, and turbulence in the international order.
The Intelligence and Security Committee, chaired by prime minister Chris Hipkins, has received a presentation from representatives of the national security sector on the National Security Long-term Insights Briefing published in March.
Rebecca Kitteridge - File Photo
Rebecca Kitteridge, who until recently was the country's top spy, presented to the committee in her current role as Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
"The ways in which New Zealand may experience more frequent and concurrent national security challenges will require both proactive and reactive responses," she explained at the outset.
"We see broader global trends, such as increasing competition, technology change, climate change and future pandemics impacting and driving many of the future trends that we could face, threats and challenges such as cyber attacks, terrorism, violent extremism, disinformation and trans-national organised crime are of concern to both the national security sector and the public, as identified through the national security public survey and confirmed by more recent survey results."
The briefing was produced independently of ministers and doesn't comment on government policy.
'Unpredictable outcomes'
Long-term Insights Briefings are a new concept here, and this also included a public survey and public consultation - these are useful because the flow of accurate information to the public is a particularly new area of focus.
"Over the next ten to fifteen years we see threats to our national security becoming more complex and linked, resulting in sometimes unpredictable outcomes," Kitteridge told the committee.
"As a result, our national security system will continue to experience high demand, and working collaboratively with partners, such as through our international relationships, with communities and businesses, as well as sharing more information with the public on the role they can play is crucial to meeting future challenges."
According to the briefing report, in the next 10 to 15 years, the most significant risks to national security will be influenced by, and in some cases originate from, four key global trends:…