4 days ago
How Did An Australian Warship Block The Internet Across New Zealand Overnight?
Last Updated:
Technology experts said the disruption started around 2 am, affecting internet connectivity and causing many small radio stations across New Zealand to go off air
Wi-Fi and radio signals suddenly stopped working in many parts of New Zealand's North and South Islands on Wednesday morning, confusing residents since no technical faults or storms were reported. The disruption was later linked to the Australian warship HMAS Canberra, which was quietly moving towards Wellington.
HMAS Canberra, one of the largest ships in the Royal Australian Navy, created significant interference with internet and radio signals from Taranaki to Marlborough due to its navigation radar operating on the same frequency as New Zealand's Wi-Fi and FM stations.
Technology experts explained that the disruption began around 2 am, affecting internet connectivity and causing many small radio stations to shut down. Internet service providers had to disable their networks, and stations like Brian FM had to switch to backup systems.
Matthew Harrison, managing director of New Zealand internet company Primo, said, 'This was not a normal technical glitch…this was the full power of military-grade radar."
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) issued a statement acknowledging the interference and confirming that they immediately changed their radar frequency upon realising the issue, which restored normal service without prolonged interruption.
Dan O'Grady, an officer from New Zealand's Radio Spectrum Department, noted that the affected frequency band is a shared spectrum used by the public for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
First Published:
June 06, 2025, 19:06 IST
