Guyon Espiner

But that was a bit funny when I couldn't even go to headquarters and, you know, no one really seen you came and shook my hand.

And so, you know, that was just because of what was happening in New Zealand, you know.

But that was more than 40 years ago now.

Susan Miller says more recently the relationship has once again become incredibly close.

Susan Miller, the former head of CIA counterintelligence, says American intelligence, starting with CIA, should now be excluded from certain areas of Five Eyes cooperation.

So, even if New Zealand puts a wall around its Russian intelligence when it comes to the US, Susan Miller says, keep a door open for more reliable future administrations.

The Agency was produced, written and hosted by John Daniel and me, Guy Nespina.

Our executive producer for RNZ was John Hartevelt and our executive producer for Bird of Paradise Productions was Noel McCarthy.

The visual director at RNZ was Cole Easton-Farrelly and our camera operator was Jess Charlton.

Thanks also to Sarah Gaitanos for the article about Bill Such that appears on rnz.co.nz.

Just a heads up listeners, this episode contains some adult language.

As Kit Bennett moves towards the goal of his operation against Soviet military intelligence in the Philippines, he's been given the news that another CIA operative, this one in Europe, has been killed.

And the similarities with what he's doing are alarming.

Yeah, he's come a long way to get to where he is and he doesn't want to have to turn back now.

You were frightened that they'd pull the pin?

From Bird of Paradise Productions and RNZ, this is The Agency.

I'm Guyon Espiner.

This episode is going to take us into the heart of a very audacious lie.

But before we get there, we're going to look at how the lines around the truth are sometimes blurred, especially in the world of espionage.

It might just be what you need to get your job done.