Proposed law changes to respond to the threat of Islamic State supporters will not lead to inappropriate spying by the SIS, the Defence Minister says.
The Government plans to change the law to allow the Minister of Internal Affairs to cancel passports for between one and three years and temporarily suspend them for 10 days in urgent cases.
It will also allow the Security Intelligence Service (SIS) to carry out video surveillance on private properties in cases of security concern.
In emergencies they will be allowed to begin surveillance up to 48 hours before the issue of a warrant, with the approval of its director.
Civil rights lawyer Michael Bott told Radio New Zealand the changes were disproportionate to the actual threat level and would erode personal freedoms. Key had not presented enough credible evidence of a threat to justify increasing the powers of surveillance on New Zealanders.
Defence Minister, Gerry Brownlee, told the programme security agencies need to be able to monitor the threat.
Intelligence agencies would not be able to go on a fishing expedition for information because they have to ensure any evidence gathered is admissible in court should any charges be laid.
“If they want to be able to collect information speedily for the use in a prosecution then they're going to have to be very very certain that had normal processes been followed, they would be able to get a warrant,” Brownlee said.
Yesterday Key revealed up to 40 people were on a Government watchlist because of their involvement with or support for Islamic State and another 30 to 40 required further investigation. Five New Zealand citizens or residents are fighting for IS in Syria, and nine New Zealanders have had their passports cancelled for wanting to do so.