New head of GCSB announced

A general view of the GCSB building in Wellington. Photo / Hagen Hopkins

A new head of New Zealand's foreign intelligence agency has been named.

The Government Communications Security Bureau's chief legal adviser Lisa Fong will become the agency's acting director from February 15.

Ms Fong will replace current acting director Una Jagose, who is leaving the GCSB to become Solicitor-General.

Minister Responsible for the GCSB Christopher Finlayson said Ms Fong was a capable leader, and he was pleased she had agreed to take the role.

Ms Fong has been the agency's chief legal adviser since April 2013, and was previously employed by Crown Law for eight years.

The State Services Commission is in the final stages of a recruitment process to find a permanent Director of the GCSB.

Ms Jagose has presided over the agency at a time of increased transparency and a push to improve public relations, after its activities came under intense scrutiny following a series of revelations and allegations.

A wide-ranging review of the SIS and GCSB, headed by former Deputy Prime Minister Sir Michael Cullen and lawyer Dame Patsy Reddy, is expected to report back by next month.