This is why New Zealand is on high alert
More than a week after the horrific terror attack in Christchurch, the country remains on a ‘‘high’’ threat alert.
This is despite the sole suspect in the attack being in custody. It is the only time New Zealand has ever had a high threat level.
The high threat level means several government agencies are in a defensive crouch. On a technical level it means the Government believes a ‘‘terrorist attack is assessed as very likely’’.
The public is likely to see increased security services in public places and at the border. In particular, police will remain armed while the threat level remains high, with police protecting specific areas and patrolling with Bushmaster M4 semi-automatic rifles.
The threat level is set by a group called the Combined Threat Assessment Group (CTAG). This group has representatives from: Police, Corrections, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Civil Aviation, the Defence Force, and the two big intelligence agencies – the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) and the Government Communications Security Bureau.
The CTAG and its systems were set up in 2004 after the 9/11 attacks in the United States and the 2002 Bali bombings.
According to a factsheet published on the NZSIS website, the CTAG keeps the the threat level in ‘‘continual review’’ and ‘‘uses a wide range of intelligence and information to analyse the intent and capability of potential terrorist actors’’.
The NZSIS is reticent when asked to provide more detail on what it is still worried about and the information it needs to lower the threat level.
But Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave some indication yesterday morning that concern about copycat attacks was a contributing factor.
‘‘There is an acknowledgment from international evidence and experiences – and keep in mind that New Zealand has not gone through this experience before – that in a four-to-six-week period afterwards there does tend to be talk of retaliation, talk of copycats,’’ Ardern told RNZ.
‘‘It’s considered to be prudent and vigilant if we maintain a high level of responsiveness in the wake of an attack like this.’’
The high threat level applies across Government, although some agencies have much more to do in a high-threat environment than others.
A spokesperson for the NZSIS referred Stuff to the all-ofGovernment Protective Security Requirements which spells out guidelines for agencies taking security precautions.
‘‘Each government agency is responsible for taking appropriate steps to ensure security based on the environment they operate in and the risks they face,’’ the spokesperson said.
‘‘Agencies across government have increased their security posture and are continuing to assess the security measures they have in place.
‘‘As a result of the increase in threat level people can expect to see a general increase in visible security presence in public places.
‘‘There will also be a range of additional security controls that are not publicly visible.
‘‘We cannot release details of the security measures agencies are taking as that would risk undermining their effectiveness.’’
A spokesman for the Finance Minister Grant Robertson said officials had advised the costs of the extra security measures could be met within baseline funding from the agencies involved.
‘‘The advice remains that agencies are able to meet their costs within baselines.
‘‘The Treasury is engaging with agencies to identify any other pressures that might emerge.’’