The former head of the Government Bruce Fergusson says until the end of 2010 there was no NSA bases in New Zealand, and he has no reason to believe anything has changed since he left.
NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, told a meeting organised by the Internet Party founder Kim Dotcom that the National Security Agency is already operating in this country and has a facility in Auckland and one further north.
“As far as having a New Zealand base, I'd be absolutely surprised if that happened,” says Sir Bruce Ferguson. “In fact you'd have to ask yourself why would they do that in this day and age. I see no reason to do that and I'd certainly see no reason why the National Security Agency would waste resources by having people here.”
Sir Bruce says he gives no credence to Snowden’s claims that there is mass surveillance of New Zealanders.
He’s betrayed his own country, he’s betrayed their trust, he’s gone against the oath he took with the Americans that he wouldn’t release any of this stuff. So if you wish to believe a traitor to his country, who is willing to subvert his own standards to his country, well, yeah, you’ve got a point….But I choose not to believe such a person.”
