The GCSB won't be allowed to access emails New Zealanders send to each other without specific case-by-case warrants issued under exceptional circumstances, Prime Minister John Key says.
There's nothing in the Government Communications Security Bill that explicitly prevents the spy agency from accessing the text in emails but Mr Key says a combination of measures stop it from opening them.
NZ Newswire has a written explanation from Mr Key covering one of the most controversial issues around the legislation.
It says the prime minister and the Commissioner of Security Warrants can impose any conditions they want in a warrant.
Mr Key says he doesn't intend allowing the Government Communications Security Bureau to access the content of New Zealanders' communications, including emails, without very good reason.
If a serious cyber intrusion was detected and the GCSB wanted to access email content it would have to apply for a specific warrant, which would only be considered if it was investigating a serious threat.
In that case, the GCSB would be expected to seek the consent of the New Zealander involved, unless there were very good reasons for not doing that.
Mr Key has cleared up an issue the bill's opponents have been using to criticise the legislation.
It allows the agency to spy on New Zealanders on behalf of the police and the Security Intelligence Service when they have warrants.
There have been claims that under the legislation the GCSB will be able to trawl through domestic email traffic and look at whatever it wants.
