Latest news with #AndrewHampton
Japan Today
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
New Zealand spy service warns of China interference
Inteligence services in New Zealand say China is seeking to influence the country's government and society New Zealand's spy service warned Thursday that China is the most active power engaging in foreign interference in the country, including through front organizations. New Zealand faces the "most challenging national security environment of recent times", the country's intelligence agency said in an annual risk assessment. Key drivers of the deteriorating threat environment were less stable relationships between states, deepening polarization and growing grievances. Though several states seek to manipulate New Zealand's government and society, China remains the "most active", the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service said. The spy agency specifically accused China's United Front Work Department of engaging in foreign interference to build influence outside of China. Not all of its activity amounted to foreign interference, and some could be beneficial, it said. "However, its activities are regularly deceptive, coercive and corruptive and come with risks for New Zealand organizations." The agency cautioned New Zealand businesses that under China's national security legislation, individuals and organizations in China must comply with requests from the country's security services. The Indo-Pacific region is a focal point for strategic competition between powers, the security service said. China is a "particularly assertive and powerful actor", seeking to extend and embed its influence across the region, the report said. "It has demonstrated both a willingness and capability to undertake intelligence activity that targets New Zealand's national interests." Without naming countries, the intelligence service highlighted the routine use of "transnational repression" by foreign states, often by co-opting people to collect information about someone within their own diaspora living in New Zealand. Looking at other risks, the agency said the most plausible extremist threat in New Zealand remained that of a lone actor, radicalized in an increasingly polarized, grievance-laden online world, who attacks without forewarning. Young and vulnerable people were at the highest risk of radicalization, it said. "Increasing levels of polarization and grievance are driving support for violent extremist ideologies and foreign states are more willing to target New Zealand organizations and communities in order to achieve their aims," director-general of security Andrew Hampton said. "These threats are worthy of greater attention." It is "almost certain" some foreign espionage activity is going undetected, the service said, reporting the targeting of critical organizations, infrastructure and technology -- mostly through cyber exploitation. "It is not just intelligence officers conducting this activity," the agency said. "Some governments take a 'whole of state approach' to intelligence gathering, which includes utilizing businesses, universities, think tanks, or cyber actors to act on their behalf." Global competition and insecurity drive most of the espionage activity against New Zealand, it said. The service cited "multiple examples" of states seeking covert access to information on government policy positions, security partnerships, technological innovations and research. © 2025 AFP
AsiaOne
4 hours ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
New Zealand faces most challenging security environment in recent time, report shows, World News
WELLINGTON — New Zealand is facing the toughest national security challenges of recent times with increasing threats of foreign interference and espionage, particularly from China, according to an intelligence report released on Thursday (Aug 21). The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (SIS) report said there was almost certainly undetected espionage activity harming the country's interests and that foreign states continue to target critical organisations, infrastructure and technology to steal sensitive information. "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 report said. China was a particularly "assertive and powerful" actor in the region and had demonstrated both a willingness and capability to undertake intelligence activity that targets New Zealand's national interests, it added. The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The report titled New Zealand's Security Threat Environment is released annually as part of a government shift to better inform New Zealanders about risks the country is facing. The country, part of the Five Eyes intelligence and security alliance, has increasingly amped up its rhetoric over the growing influence of China in the region and a rise in geopolitical tensions, committing earlier this year to spend more on defence. Director-General of Security Andrew Hampton said the threats need to be taken much more seriously than they are currently. "Our threat environment is deteriorating and that has a direct impact on our safety and security," he said in a statement released alongside the report. The report also pointed to the growing threat of violent extremism and said the most plausible attack scenario remains 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. [[nid:719188]]
Perth Now
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
New Zealand faces toughest security challenges:report
New Zealand is facing its toughest national security challenges of recent times with increasing threats of foreign interference and espionage, particularly from China, a report has found. The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service report said there was almost certainly undetected espionage activity harming the country's interests and that foreign states continue to target critical organisations, infrastructure and technology to steal sensitive information. "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 report said. China was a particularly "assertive and powerful" actor in the region and had demonstrated both a willingness and capability to undertake intelligence activity that targets New Zealand's national interests, it added. The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The report, titled New Zealand's Security Threat Environment, is released annually as part of a government shift to better inform New Zealanders about risks the country is facing. The country, part of the Five Eyes intelligence and security alliance, has increasingly amped up its rhetoric over the growing influence of China in the region and a rise in geopolitical tensions, committing earlier this year to spend more on defence. Director-General of Security Andrew Hampton said the threats need to be taken much more seriously than they are currently. "Our threat environment is deteriorating and that has a direct impact on our safety and security," he said in a statement released alongside the report. The report also pointed to the growing threat of violent extremism and said the most plausible attack scenario remains 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.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Zealand faces most challenging security environment in recent time, report shows
By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) -New Zealand is facing the toughest national security challenges of recent times with increasing threats of foreign interference and espionage, particularly from China, according to an intelligence report released on Thursday. The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (SIS) report said there was almost certainly undetected espionage activity harming the country's interests and that foreign states continue to target critical organisations, infrastructure and technology to steal sensitive information. '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 report said. China was a particularly "assertive and powerful" actor in the region and had demonstrated both a willingness and capability to undertake intelligence activity that targets New Zealand's national interests, it added. The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The report titled New Zealand's Security Threat Environment is released annually as part of a government shift to better inform New Zealanders about risks the country is facing. The country, part of the Five Eyes intelligence and security alliance, has increasingly amped up its rhetoric over the growing influence of China in the region and a rise in geopolitical tensions, committing earlier this year to spend more on defence. Director-General of Security Andrew Hampton said the threats need to be taken much more seriously than they are currently. 'Our threat environment is deteriorating and that has a direct impact on our safety and security,' he said in a statement released alongside the report. The report also pointed to the growing threat of violent extremism and said the most plausible attack scenario remains 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. Solve the daily Crossword
Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
New Zealand faces most challenging security environment in recent time: Report
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The report said there was almost certainly undetected espionage activity harming the country's interests. WELLINGTON - New Zealand is facing the toughest national security challenges of recent times with increasing threats of foreign interference and espionage, particularly from China, according to an intelligence report released on Aug 21. The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (SIS) report said there was almost certainly undetected espionage activity harming the country's interests and that foreign states continue to target critical organisations, infrastructure and technology to steal sensitive information. '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 report said. China was a particularly "assertive and powerful" actor in the region and had demonstrated both a willingness and capability to undertake intelligence activity that targets New Zealand's national interests, it added. The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The report titled New Zealand's Security Threat Environment is released annually as part of a government shift to better inform New Zealanders about risks the country is facing. The country, part of the Five Eyes intelligence and security alliance, has increasingly amped up its rhetoric over the growing influence of China in the region and a rise in geopolitical tensions, committing earlier this year to spend more on defence. Director-General of Security Andrew Hampton said the threats need to be taken much more seriously than they are currently. 'Our threat environment is deteriorating and that has a direct impact on our safety and security,' he said in a statement released alongside the report. The report also pointed to the growing threat of violent extremism and said the most plausible attack scenario remains 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. REUTERS
