Above the laws that applied to ordinary New Zealanders

In 1976, the Government set out to disable the protest movement and silence dissent by strengthening the powers of the Security Intelligence Service (SIS). The SIS Amendment Bill 1977 would tighten the Government’s control over ordinary citizens, enabling the SIS to tap phones, bug premises, open mail and more easily recruit informers.

The Prime Minister could authorise the SIS to issue anyone with an ‘Interception Warrant’, enabling them to enter and search any premises, plant listening devices, and confiscate property. The Bill would put the SIS and its clandestine agents above the laws that applied to ordinary New Zealanders. The ‘target’ of any SIS activity risked a $10,000 fine or one year in prison if they spoke out. Anyone could be asked to report on family members, friends, neighbours or workmates – and be prosecuted if they refused.

Despite vociferous opposition to the Bill and mass protests, it was passed into law.