The Green Party says the latest inquiry into the government's spy agency shows up what it calls the Prime Minister's slack oversight.
The Minister Responsible for the GCSB, Chris Finlayson - pictured speaking in Parliament (file) Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
The spy watchdog is investigating claims the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) helped Trade Minister Tim Groser's 2013 bid to head the World Trade Organisation.
Metiria Turei Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson
Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Cheryl Gwyn said she would be looking into how the GCSB determined what intelligence activity to undertake, and how that was regulated.
Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said it was unprecedented for a government agency to be investigated by a watchdog three times in nine months.
She said it was further evidence John Key's hands were off the wheel in his department.
Listen to Susie Ferguson's interview with Metiria Turei
But the Minister Responsible for the GCSB, Chris Finlayson, told Morning Report he was not concerned at the number of investigations into the agency.
"We extended the jurisdiction of the Inspector-General to have what are called de novo or own motion inquiries so, surprise, surprise, on occasion she's having them," he said.
"I can tell you there'll be a lot more as well and I'm perfectly relaxed about it."
He said the fact that complaints were made, or inquiries were undertaken, did not mean the allegations were correct.
Listen to Guyon Espiner's interview with Chris Finlayson