New Zealand’s spy agency has warned the country is under mounting pressure from foreign powers. The Security Intelligence Service (SIS) says the security environment is the toughest in recent times.
Its annual New Zealand’s Security Threat Environment report, released Thursday, the agency said espionage was “almost certainly” happening undetected, officials warned the activity is damaging national interests.
Foreign States Targeting Critical Sectors
The report said foreign states were actively seeking to undermine New Zealand’s security by going after vital organisations, infrastructure, and technology. “Some states, including China, Russia and Iran, are willing to engage in covert or deceptive activity in order to influence discussions and decisions, or gain access to technology and information that can help them meet these goals … New Zealand has been targeted by some of these activities,” the SIS said.
China Pushes Back Against Allegations
China reacted strongly to the SIS report, which identified it as “assertive and powerful” in regional intelligence operations. Embassy officials rejected the findings as “unsubstantiated and groundless, saturated with ideological bias and a Cold War mentality.”
They added that China would continue to regard New Zealand as a “friend and partner,” but warned that in the face of “groundless attacks,” Beijing would “take firm measures to safeguard our legitimate interests.”
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning accused New Zealand agencies of “repeatedly spreading rumours” at a regular press briefing. She said, “China strongly opposes this,” urging Wellington to instead focus on “actions in favour of the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.”
Rising Risks of Espionage and Violent Extremism
The SIS report highlighted the growing threat of violent extremism alongside concerns about espionage. It warned that the most likely attack scenario remained “a lone actor who has been radicalised online.”
“Grievances and polarising issues in the online information space are almost certainly driving support for a range of violent extremist ideologies within New Zealand,” the report noted.
Director-General of Security Andrew Hampton underlined the seriousness of the findings. “Our threat environment is deteriorating and that has a direct impact on our safety and security,” he said in a statement.
The Government has emphasised its commitment to strengthening defences, announcing a NZ$2.7 billion boost to the defence force on the same day the report was released.
Transparency and International Security Alliances
The annual assessment was released under a government drive to increase openness about security issues. It places New Zealand alongside its Five Eyes partners, all of which have voiced alarm about China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. Hampton said, “The threats need to be taken much more seriously than they are currently.”