Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
GCSB and SIS: one email relating to far-right killer Breivik
GCSB and SIS release one email relating to far-right killer Anders Breivik
Phil Pennington, Reporter
The New Zealand spy agencies have released a single email referring to the far-right Norway killer Anders Breivik.
But the SIS and GCSB have refused on security grounds to say if they hold other emails about Breivik, who killed 77 people in Norway in 2011.
RNZ has been asking authorities if the Norway attack raised the prospect of something like this happening in New Zealand as a significant threat worth paying attention to - prior to the Christchurch mosque shootings in March.
A Royal Commission of Inquiry is investigating whether the agencies failed to spot warning signs before the mosque attacks.
The single email, released under the Official Information Act, is from an unidentified person inviting spy agency staff to a theatrical production, a play about Breivik that ran in Wellington in early 2017.
The spy agencies say it was a group email to staffers who were part of an association of security management professionals.
The sender said they had been to a "fascinating" presentation by a psychology association about lone-actor violence, then invited people to the play at Circa.
"We can neither confirm nor deny whether the GCSB or NZSIS hold any further relevant emails," the OIA response said.
In an earlier OIA response, the agencies said they had found no record of any emails between them and the minister's office that had the Breivik attack in the subject line.
Two senior representatives from Norwegian Correctional Services, involved in the management of Breivik, visited New Zealand in May to offer their insight into how to best manage a high-profile prisoner.
A 28-year-old Australian national has pleaded not guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one charge laid under the Terrorism Suppression Act in relation to the 15 March mosque shootings.
RNZ
New Zealand's public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.
Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.
Binoy Kampmark: Warring Against Encryption, Australia Is Coming For Your Communications
Gordon Campbell: On Fast Track Powers, Media Woes And The Tiktok Ban
Binoy Kampmark: Censorship Wars, Elon Musk, Safety Commissioners And Violent Content
Gordon Campbell: On The Public Sector Carnage, And Misogyny As Terrorism
Ramzy Baroud: NATO’s Never-ending War: The 75-Year-Old Bully Is Faltering
Eugene Doyle: Joining AUKUS Not In NZ’s National Interest