More on the NAB
I blogged on 23 March the change of name and focus for the External Assessments Bureau, who have now become the National Assessments Bureau.
Mainly I rebutted the hysteria that this meant the PM is getting a private spy agency, but I did comment at the end:
Having said all that, I am interested in the rationale for change, and think there should be a fuller understanding of what “gaps” in analysis there were, that this change will plug.
To that end I have just filed an OIA request with the DPMC for any information about the change of name and mandate for the EAB to the NAB. I have no doubt parts of any papers I receive will be redacted, but I hope to gain some better understanding of the change, and will blog it when I get the response.
DPMC have responded, and their reply is here – OIA Reply – Farrar, David – change of name and mandate of EAB [DPMC] – Scanned
Most of my request has been transferred to the SSC, as the lead agency that did the review. They’ve also withheld any info from within the NAB itself (no surprise), but did provide a news item from the DPMC Intranet, which has some quite interesting aspects to it:
- NAB is now tasked with establishing quality standards for intelligence analysis across the entire NZ intelligence community.
- NAB now responsible for developing a national assessment programme which will draw on resources outside DPMC
- The NAB and the DESG (Domestic & External Security Group) are moving out of their current location (Reserve Bank Building) into the new GCSB bulding in Pipitea Street, when it is completed later this year. So most of the intelligence community will be housed together.
Giving the NAB a role in quality control over the intelligence community seems quite sensible.