-
New protective dome fitted over one of the satellites at the Waihopai spy base - Source: ONE News -
Watch Video
-
Related
A rare statement from New Zealand's chief spies in the wake of the Waihopai trial has prompted ONE News to delve deeper into their secret world.
The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), said on Thursday that the base, in Marlborough's Waihopai Valley, was not "a United States spybase in our midst, contributing to torture, war, and the use of weapons of mass destruction and other unspeakable evil".
Their mission statement is "mastery of cyberspace for the security of New Zealand".
But for such a grandiose goal, the GCSB operates in almost total silence.
A senior official agreed to speak to ONE News on condition of anonymity.
He says the GCSB is responsible for foreign intelligence collection and the protection of government electronic systems.
He says this does not mean eavesdropping on New Zealanders.
When asked if the organisation has any involvement in the gulf war or other international conflicts, ONE News was given "No comment."
The GCSB employs 330 people and their annual report shows they cost the taxpayer around $50 million last year.
Debate over the base re-ignited last month when a jury found teacher Adrian Leason, 45, Dominican friar Peter Murnane, 69, and farmer Sam Land, 26, not guilty of charges of burglary and wilful damage after they broke into the spybase in 2008 and deflated one of its radar dome covers.
Solicitor-General David Collins ruled out appealing their acquittal on Thursday but he may try to sue them for $1.1 million for the damage done to government property.
Latest NZ News Video
-
ONE News Minute 9am update: May 26 (1:00)
-
Kids cough up $14m for Government (1:50)
-
Education ministry 'barbaric' (1:55)
