WELLINGTON – The director of the Security Intelligence Service, Rebecca Kitteridge, says the organisation has prevented terror attacks in New Zealand, but needs greater powers to continue to keep the country safe.

The Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill introduced to Parliament on Wednesday would give the SIS more power to conduct video surveillance on terrorist suspects.

The Bill passed its first reading by 107 votes to 14, with only the Green Party voting against it.

It will extend the period the Government can cancel a passport for, from 12 months to three years. It will also allow the Security Intelligence Service to carry out greater surveillance than it does now, including in special cases without a warrant for up to 48 hours.

Ms Kitteridge said the risk of an attack had risen, particularly in the past six months.