A sneak preview of a political documentary concerning New Zealand’s intelligence network was shown at AUT University’s inaugural Media, Investigative Journalism and Technology Conference last weekend.
The documentary's working title, In the Nation’s Interest – Juxtaposing the frailties of intelligence and tradecraft, aims to allow the New Zealand public to understand what intelligence is, how it is gathered and how it is used.
Selwyn Manning, director of the film-in-progress and co-editor of Scoop Media, hopes to create an investigative journalism narrative where the audience is not bombarded with information.
“I want to get their minds into a position where they are more receptive to the message,” Manning said.
“It will allow the audience to explore the frailty and use of intelligence today.
“I’ve tried to use new technology as a vehicle to get the viewer inside a space where probably none of us have been before.”
Secret operations
In the documentary, Manning talks to former intelligence operatives and experts about New Zealand’s involvement in secret international operations. It explores the public, national and international interest purpose underlying intelligence agencies and New Zealand’s connection to global operations.
A commentator in the film on police intelligence methods said: “Intelligence gathering is a process of evolution and it is mainly dictated by technology.”
Manning added: “Technologies available to us also allow journalists to create work, vehicles if you like, for our investigative journalism.”
Dr Paul Buchanan, who appears in the documentary, says New Zealanders are very unaware of our role in the global intelligence network.
“Even though New Zealand is small and isolated and we may think it does not have much to do[with intelligence on the international stage. The fact is it does.”
Courtney Wilson
