Security at home and abroad
In recent weeks international security has been in the headlines. As New Zealanders have been watching events unfold in the Middle East the Government has turned its mind to the role that we need to play as international citizens. Last week the Prime Minister gave an important speech on national security which outlined the threat that the terrorist group ISIL poses both globally and to New Zealand.
The Government takes its national security obligations very seriously. We have an obligation to ensure New Zealanders are safe at home and abroad. ISIL exposes New Zealand to a type of threat that we lack both the legislative tools and resources to combat.
Sadly, there are individuals here who are attracted to carrying out domestic attacks of the type we have seen in Canada, and luckily prevented in Australia. NZ agencies have a watch list of between 30 and 40 people of concern who may wish to become foreign fighters for ISIL.
