About this episode

This episode discusses Kit Bennetts's recruitment into the CIA and New Zealand's intelligence ties, particularly in relation to the Bill Sutch case.

Kit Bennetts, a young officer with New Zealand's SIS, is recruited into the CIA. Former NZSIS Minister Andrew Little says New Zealand's involvement with American intelligence agencies is still tight today. This episode touches on Kit Bennetts's part in the Bill Sutch case. It mentions 'pen portraits' of senior civil servants that were found in Sutch's safe. You can see this document, as well as an analysis by historian Sarah Gaitanos, online on the RNZ website here: What to make of new evidence in the notorious Bill Sutch spy case You can also listen to The Service , from RNZ and Bird of Paradise Productions on the RNZ website or on your favourite podcast app. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Topics covered

• intelligence
• New Zealand history
• CIA
• Bill Sutch case
• civil servants
• SIS

Keywords

• Kit Bennetts
• CIA
• New Zealand SIS
• Bill Sutch
• Andrew Little
• Sarah Gaitanos
• intelligence agencies

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: New Zealand's SIS, CIA, NZSIS, RNZ, Bird of Paradise Productions

Books & works: The Service, What to make of new evidence in the notorious Bill Sutch spy case

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• Quiet Americans · April 6, 2026 · 52 min
• Introducing: The Agency · March 30, 2026 · 2 min

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