New Zealand wants wider spy agency role in keeping tabs on citizens

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand's government is pushing to change the law to widen surveillance of citizens by one of its spy agencies, despite growing global concern over the scope and security of such activities following damning leaks by a former U.S. security contractor.

The minority centre-right National Party government wants to legalise the involvement of its foreign intelligence department, the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), in the work of domestic agencies, such as the Security Intelligence Service and the police.