New Zealand's spy agencies should be more transparent about their activities, says Sir Michael Cullen.
Sir Michael Cullen said the agencies 'are their own worst enemies'. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
The former finance minister and deputy prime minister is leading a review of the legislative framework governing the Government Communications Security Bureau and the Security Intelligence Service.
He told TVNZ's Q + A programme this morning that his preliminary view was the agencies needed to be much more open about what they do.
"I've seen documents, briefings, which it would be hard to justify, in my view, those briefings not being made public," he said.
"I think, ironically, the agencies are their own worst enemy by being so secretive about almost everything they do."
Sir Michael said the events around the Kim Dotcom case had undermined public confidence in the intelligence agencies.