National Security Long-term Insights Briefing - public consultation

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade are working together with other Security and Intelligence Board agencies, including New Zealand Police to develop a Long-term Insights Briefing that focusses on national security. The proposed topic is: ‘Engaging an increasingly diverse Aotearoa New Zealand on national security risks, challenges and opportunities’.

Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa
(Let us keep close together, not wide apart)

Conversations about national security matter. National Security is of growing importance for all New Zealanders. National security events affect not only those directly involved, but our wider sense of safety and security.

Our communities have experienced significant harm from violent extremism, the damaging impact of cyber-attacks on our business, banking and health sectors, the ongoing danger from organised criminals, and the impacts of mis- and dis-information. These affect not only those directly involved, but our wider sense of safety and security.

Governments have a responsibility to understand national security risks and opportunities, and to be open and transparent about these as they evolve. This briefing focusses on threat-based national security risks, which can include:

  • Security of New Zealand’s borders and marine environment.
  • Terrorism and violent extremism.
  • Defence and protection against foreign interference by other countries (for example interference in general elections) and hostile state activity.
  • Cyber threats, online harms and disinformation.
  • Trans-national, and serious organised crime (including the illegal movement of money, goods and people).
  • Emerging technology issues (for example artificial intelligence).
  • International relationships and institutions (for example, stability in the Indo-Pacific).

The National Security Long-term Insights Briefing to be released in mid-2022 is an opportunity to help New Zealanders understand the national security risks and opportunities the country may face in the future, and for government to explore the implications of these, including how we can better engage a diversifying public.

It is also an opportunity to hear from communities about the emerging challenges they see, and explore the practical contributions they can make to national security.

What is a Long-term Insights Briefing?

Long-term Insights Briefings are a new way for government to identify and explore issues that matter for the future wellbeing of the people of New Zealand. Each Government agency is required to develop a Long-term Insights Briefings at least once every three years.

For more information on Long-term Insight Briefings, please visit the Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission website.

Public consultation

Visit the Consultation hub for further information.