An Open Conversation on a Secret History

The 'secret world' of security intelligence during a period in which counter-espionage and counter-subversion duties were primarily handled by the NZ Police.

11 October 2023

Secret History: State Surveillance in New Zealand, 1900-1956 was launched in July 2023. It opens up the ‘secret world’ of security intelligence during a period in which counter-espionage and counter-subversion duties were primarily handled by the New Zealand Police Force.

Malcolm McKinnon will conduct an informal but informed conversation with the authors, Richard S. Hill and Steven Loveridge, on the book’s revelations, methodology and implications.

Malcolm McKinnon is an adjunct research associate in the School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka. He is the author of a number of works on the history of both New Zealand's foreign relations and its political economy.

Richard S. Hill is an Emeritus Professor at the Stout Research Centre. Among his outputs are four books in the History of Policing in New Zealand series, and two on Crown-Māori relations in the twentieth century. His co-authored book, Secret History, is the first of two volumes in a history of security intelligence in twentieth-century New Zealand.

Steven Loveridge is an adjunct Research Associate at the Stout Research Centre. His published work includes some major studies of New Zealand society during the First World War, and work on diplomatic history and security intelligence. He is currently co-authoring the second volume in the history of security intelligence in twentieth-century New Zealand which will cover the 1956-2000 period.