WELLINGTON, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The public servant who works in New Zealand's Treasury department has lost a notebook that details a possible merger of New Zealand's main spy agencies, according to media reports on Tuesday.

    The possible merger of the Security Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) was revealed in the hand-written notes, found lying in a Wellington street by a Radio New Zealand journalist.

    Treasury Secretary John Whitehead issued a statement on Tuesday morning saying the incident was regrettable and he had apologized to the Prime Minister, Radio New Zealand reported.

    The notes, written about a fortnight ago, said a merger of the country's intelligence agencies is one of three possible outcomes of a review being conducted by former Foreign Affairs Secretary Simon Murdoch.

    The State Services Commission and Prime Minister John Key have confirmed Murdoch has been employed to look at opportunities for the security services to work more effectively together.

    The notes also suggest a possible tie-in with yet another intelligence agency, the External Assessments Bureau, which operates out of the department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

    The Treasury statement said arrangements were being made for the notebook's return and issues raised by the incident were being followed up internally.

    Prime Minister John Key told Radio New Zealand that it is too early to say what will come of the review, which is still underway, but a merger may be one recommendation.

    He said he asked for a review to look at whether the agencies have the right structure, the future areas of growth or change for the services, and to assess their value for money.

    The State Services Commission said work on the review the country's security services is at an early stage and it will not comment on any options until Mr. Murdoch's report is complete.

    The SIS investigates and gathers information about possible threats to New Zealand's security and collects foreign intelligence and the GCSB operates the Waihopi Base in Malborough, which can monitor and intercept phone calls and emails.