Spies gain new power

NEW Zealand will let spy agencies carry out “intrusive” activities after the Christchurch mosque shootings that claimed 50 lives.

The Government this week ordered a judicial inquiry into whether the nation’s intelligence services could have prevented the March 15 attack amid criticism gunman Brenton Tarrant went unnoticed because they were too focused on Muslim extremists.

Intelligence minister Andrew Little said yesterday he had signed powerful surveillance warrants in the wake of the attack.