52669 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister responsible for the GCSB

52669 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister responsible for the GCSB: What is the total sum of money spent, if any, on contractors and consultants to assist in any change processes, role disestablishments, and/or restructures, at departments, ministries and agencies for which the Minister is responsible, since 27 November 2023, listed by month and agency?

Hon Judith Collins: The Intelligence and Security Act 2017 (ISA) and Public Finance Act 1989 (PFA) provide for the GCSB and the NZSIS to publicly provide much less financial information than other government departments, in order to allow the agencies to discharge their responsibilities effectively. In particular, section 45E of the PFA and section 221 of the ISA provide for the protection of detailed financial information from public release, as it would reveal information regarding the capabilities or activities of the agencies. With regard to the agency-led joint GCSB and NZSIS work programme referred to in my responses to WPQs 41128 and 41243 (2024), I am advised that this has been predominantly resourced by staff from within the GCSB and the NZSIS. A small amount of contractors and consultants have been used to provide expertise that the agencies do not have available in-house. However, consistent with the PFA and ISA, I consider it is not in the public interest for me to provide details of any amounts either of the agencies have spent on contractors or consultants for any of the change processes the agencies have undergone, or are currently undergoing, during the timeframe of your request.