Hon Paula Bennett
Minister for Social Development
Minister of Youth Affairs

4 December 2012 Media Statement

Former Governor General leads Expert Group

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is delighted to announce that former Governor General the Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand will lead the Expert Advisory Group on Information Security.

The Group will oversee implementation of the Vulnerable Kids Information System (ViKi) and new Risk Predictor Tool which have the capacity to better protect children from abuse and neglect.

“Information security is a critical aspect of these new systems and so I have asked some of the best experts in New Zealand to ensure they are secure and easy for frontline professionals to use,” says Mrs Bennett.

“These robust information systems will help professionals put all the pieces of the puzzle together so children don’t fall through the gaps,” she says.

As an experienced lawyer, judge and ombudsman, Sir Anand has the skills and expertise to lead the Expert Advisory Group.

Three other permanent members appointed to the group are Carl Davidson (Chief Families Commissioner), Dr Murray Milner (Chair of National Health IT Board) and Rob Laking (Senior Associate at the Institute of Governance and Policy Studies at Victoria University).

“These members bring a wealth of experience in knowledge management, risk management, governance, communications technology and research on families and whanau,” says Mrs Bennett.

“The Privacy Commissioner will also work with the Expert Advisory Group throughout the development of Vulnerable Kids Information System and the implementation of the Risk Predictor Tool,” she says.

The Vulnerable Children’s Board, which has responsibility for implementing the White Paper package of initiatives, is finalising the terms of reference and membership of the Group.

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Arguably Reassuring: Inspector-General Finds GCSB "Arguably" Legal

Of the 88 individuals:

• 15 cases involving 22 individuals did not have any information intercepted by GCSB.

• another four cases involving five individuals were the subjects of a New Zealand Security Intelligence Service warrant and the GCSB assisted in the execution of the warrants. The Inspector-General is of the view that there were arguably no breaches and the law is unclear.

• the Bureau only provided technical assistance which did not involve interception of communications, involving three of the individuals, so no breach occurred.

• the remaining cases involved the collection of metadata, and the Inspector-General formed the view that there had arguably been no breach, noting once again that the law is unclear.
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