DIA releases deep-dive report 

9 October 2025

The Department of Internal Affairs has today released a report into its employment, security, electronic devices, and cross-agency information sharing procedures. 

“This report finds that DIA’s processes and procedures are sound but there are opportunities for improvement,” Deputy Secretary for Partnerships and Commissions, Hoani Lambert says. 

“The recommendations are helpful and will strengthen our ways of working in the future,” says Mr Lambert. 

The recommendations include setting more explicit expectations of employees regarding their conduct, improving the ongoing management of National Security Clearances, and developing an MOU with Police to support information sharing and to ensure DIA is immediately alerted if Police access a DIA issued electronic device. 

“These recommendations will help ensure employment processes and national security clearance and vetting procedures continue to meet the needs of Ministerial Services”.  

The recommendations fall into four categories: 

• Employment 
• Managing National Security Clearances 
• Electronic Devices 
• Cross-Agency information sharing. 

“DIA has already started to implement the recommendations and will continue to work with other agencies to ensure that the lessons learned are shared and acted upon”, Mr Lambert says.  

“I would like to thank NZSIS and NZ Police for inputting into our evaluation and for their ongoing support of DIA to introduce improvements noted in this report.”  

Read the report on the DIA website: Proactive Releases - Departmental papers
Ends

Media Desk
Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua
Mobile: +64 27 535 8639
Email: media@dia.govt.nz

Notes for editors: 
The following table contains all the recommendations. 

	Recommendation
	Employment
	1.	Include detailed information about NSC requirements (which are referenced in the Protective Security Requirements) in all advertisements for Ministerial Office vacancies.
	2.	Establish mandatory application questions to gather information about candidates’ honesty, integrity, personal and professional conduct.
	3.	Reevaluate the approach to retaining recruitment documentation.
	4.	Explore with New Zealand Police the viability of introducing Police Vetting for some Ministerial Office roles.
	5.	Issue a letter (from the Secretary of Internal Affairs to all public sector agency Chief Executives) outlining expectations of seconded employees working as Portfolio Private Secretaries.
	6.	Update employment agreements to explicitly state that an NSC must be initiated within 20 working days and the consequence for failing to comply.
	Managing National Security Clearances
	7.	Collaborate with Chiefs of Staff on NSC requirements, specifically options to:  · Require senior Ministerial Office employees to obtain the necessary NSC clearance prior to commencing employment  · Review the level of NSC clearance required by employees working in party leaders’ offices.
	8.	Improve how information is shared about NSC’s between DIA teams including:   · documenting clear escalation pathways to ensure a NSC is initiated within 20 working days  · Introducing standardised reporting for DIA managers on NSC clearances and risk management plans.
	9.	Collaborate with NZSIS to strengthen resources and information for staff about NSC requirements and being security conscious.
	10.	Introduce a mandatory annual security appraisal process for NSC holders based on the template provided in the Protective Security Requirements.
	Electronic devices
	11.		Consolidate and simplify information about ICT policies and appropriate device usage
	12.		Update guidance of what constitutes unacceptable online activity in the DIA Code of Conduct
	13.		Collaborate with New Zealand Police to understand what insights DIA can gain from the Rapid Review into Police Information Security Controls, mirroring any assurance improvements where relevant, considering where lessons learnt could be applied by other agencies.
Cross-Agency information sharing
	14.		Develop a Memorandum of Understanding between DIA and New Zealand Police that:   · supports information-sharing on investigations, charges or pending charges relating to Ministerial Office employees or senior DIA employees   · ensures DIA is immediately alerted if New Zealand Police access a DIA issued electronic device   · can potentially be used as a template for information-sharing between New Zealand Police and other public sector agencies.