Intel politicising

Govt accused of politicising spy agencies

Last year head of the SIS Rebecca Kitteridge and Prime Minister John Key spoke of New Zealand jihadi brides travelling to Syria and Iraq, and the threat that posed to domestic security.

Now it has come to light that none of the women actually left New Zealand, but travelled from Australia, prompting accusations the government is using intelligence information to drum up support for increased powers for the SIS and the GCSB.

Mr Key has denied misleading the public, saying the issue was not where the women left from, but if they decided to return to New Zealand.