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DW
10 hours ago
- Business
- DW
New Zealand spy agency calls China 'most active' threat – DW – 08/21/2025
The spy agency report called China a particularly 'assertive and powerful' actor. Beijing dismissed the 'groundless' claims as adoption of a 'Cold War mentality.' New Zealand's intelligence agency on Thursday warned the country faces its toughest security challenges in decades, citing growing foreign interference and espionage, with China singled out as the "most active" actor. The Security Intelligence Service (SIS) said in its annual threat report that New Zealand has been targeted by countries including China, Russia and Iran, which "are willing to engage in covert or deceptive activity to influence discussions and decisions, or gain access to technology and information that can help them meet these goals." Beijing rejected the findings as "unsubstantiated and groundless," accusing Wellington of adopting a "Cold War mentality." The report titled "New Zealand's Security Threat Environment" is released annually as a government initiative to inform citizens about the security risks the country faces. It described China as a particularly "assertive and powerful" actor, with both the intent and capability to target New Zealand's interests in the Pacific. The report also flagged a rising risk of lone-actor extremism, often fueled by online radicalization. Director-General of Security Andrew Hampton said New Zealand's threat environment is "threat environment is deteriorating and that has a direct impact on our safety and security." New Zealand is part of the Five Eyes intelligence and security alliance — which also includes Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States — and is caught in the geopolitical struggles of the Indo-Pacific region. On Thursday, Wellington announced it would spend NZ$2.7 billion ($1.6 billion, €1.38 billion) to bolster its defense force. The Chinese Embassy in Wellington said such accusations "poison" bilateral ties, even though Beijing regards New Zealand "as a friend and partner." "The accusations sound very familiar as they rehash smears and slanders fabricated elsewhere, repackaged for the New Zealand audience," the embassy spokesperson said, adding that "the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations depends on the joint efforts from both sides."
1News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- 1News
NZ facing toughest national security environment of recent times
The intelligence service warns threats to national security need to be taken much more seriously than they currently are. The Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) has released its third annual Security Threat Environment report, containing its assessments of violent extremism, foreign interference, and espionage in New Zealand. The report said New Zealand was facing the most challenging national security environment of recent times, with foreign interference, espionage, and online radicalisation all highlighted as threats. Much of the report contained similar analysis and threats to the two previously released reports, though the NZSIS noted further deterioration since last year's report. Security Intelligence Service releases its third annual Security Threat Environment report. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT This was largely driven by less stable relationships between states, and increasing levels of polarisation and grievance, the agency said. Commenting on the report, director-general of security Andrew Hampton said the deteriorating environment had a direct impact on safety and security. "Increasing levels of polarisation and grievance are driving support for violent extremist ideologies and foreign states are more willing to target New Zealand organisations and communities in order to achieve their aims," he said. "We are seeing active cases of young and vulnerable people being radicalised online, there are foreign states seeking to interfere with our democratic rights, and there is almost certainly undetected espionage activity targeting valuable intellectual property crucial to our future prosperity." Instability The "downward trajectory" of relationships between foreign states becoming less stable and less predictable was continuing. It meant some were wanting to gain more influence, power, and strategic advantage. ADVERTISEMENT The relationship between the United States and China was cited, as well as Russia's willingness to assert its influence in Europe. The conflict in the Middle East would also have an enduring impact. SIS report paints alarming picture of threats that face NZ, watch on TVNZ+ The report highlighted the strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, saying China had demonstrated a "willingness and capability" to undertake intelligence activity targeting New Zealand's national interests, in bids to extend and embed influence across the region. The NZSIS said several states were responsible for foreign interference activities, including transnational repression designed to target diaspora communities. Foreign states had also attempted to exploit people inside the public and private sectors to gain influence. The use of illegal drugs is harming communities in the Pacific, and it's an issue that must be addressed holistically. This was the takeaway from a Pacific Regional and National Security Conference panel on transnational crime and national security. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including growing threats to our security, a monster hurricane brewing, and has the robot takeover begun? (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT Foreign interference Over the last eighteen months, the NZSIS had seen an increase in foreign interference actors visiting New Zealand. The report said these foreign delegations were tasked with building relationships with specific parts of society, often by seeking an invitation from a New Zealand organisation to host them. "On the surface, few organisations will sense any issue but many will not know the delegation's link to foreign interference entities. Members of these delegations will conceal these links so our communities and organisations are unable to assess the risk involved in the engagement," the report said. They have also arranged travel for representatives of New Zealand organisations to build long-term influence. The trips would often include business deals or photo-ops with foreign officials, which were then used by the foreign state to promote a perception of close ties and political support from influential New Zealanders. "This can have an alienating effect on repressed communities back in New Zealand experiencing transnational repression activity from the foreign state." The NZSIS observed diaspora groups were being targeted, with foreign interference groups seeking to co-opt or replace leaders and then sideline anyone deemed to be a challenge to the state's agenda. ADVERTISEMENT Certain religions, ethnicities, rainbow communities, and pro-democracy movements were also targeted. While foreign states often flagged legitimate violent extremist concerns with the NZSIS, some states were accusing New Zealand-based groups of being extremists or terrorists when they were not. "The NZSIS is extremely cautious about this deliberate labelling tactic, as it is used to stigmatise particular groups and to justify repressive activity against them." While the report said China was not the only foreign state carrying out activity of concern, it would not specifically name those other foreign states. Online extremism The assessement said the most plausible violent extremist scenario remained a lone actor who had been radicalised online. While no one ideology stood out to the service as presenting a greater threat than any other, grievances and polarising issues online were driving support for those ideologies. ADVERTISEMENT Young and more vulnerable people were seen as being particularly at risk of becoming radicalised, with ease of access being a key contributor to the cases brought to NZSIS' attention. "Individuals who hold mixed, unstable or unclear ideologies are especially vulnerable to being radicalised online. The NZSIS has identified a number of people who appear to explore a range of violent extremist beliefs online and adopt certain aspects to suit their grievance," the report said. Violent extremist content was easy to find, and frequently shared in anonymous online networks hosting groups contributing to the radicalisation of people both in New Zealand and around the world. "What might have previously been considered societal risks associated with internet safety, now have the potential to pose an ongoing risk to New Zealand's national security." Artificial intelligence had emerged as a way of facilitating violent extremism and state-sponsored interference activities. "AI is making harmful propaganda appear more authentic and allows it to be spread at scale and speed," the report said. "The ease of access to AI will be assisting violent extremists to research and plan attacks and is reducing barriers that previously made it difficult to access information about more advanced capabilities or weapons." ADVERTISEMENT Five Eyes intelligence alliance leaders at a technology summit in California, in 2023. (Source: Supplied) Managing the risks Throughout the report, the NZSIS provided case studies and security advice, with the agency warning it could not automatically pick up on all concerning activities. In mitigating foreign interference, it suggested steps such as researching someone online before agreeing to meet them, or determining whether their interest had become suspicious or persistent. Considering the opportunities and risks of hosting a foreign delegation was also suggested. "We are not all-seeing and all-knowing, and in a democratic society like ours nor should we be. In many cases the public will notice a threat before we do," Hampton said.
Al Arabiya
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
New Zealand spy service warns of Chinese interference in country
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, its report said. 'It has demonstrated both a willingness and capability to undertake intelligence activity that targets New Zealand's national interests.' Undetected espionage 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. It is 'almost certain' some foreign espionage activity is going undetected, the service added, 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.
RNZ News
19 hours ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Young and vulnerable people more likely be radicalised online
A report out the morning from the Security Intelligence Service has found young and vulnerable people are more likely be radicalised by extremist material online. The third annual Security Threat Environment report says New Zealand is facing the most challenging national security environment of recent times, with foreign interference, espionage, and online radicalisation all highlighted as threats. Much of the report contained similar analysis and threats to the two previously released reports, though the NZSIS noted further deterioration since last year's report. This was largely driven by less stable relationships between states, and increasing levels of polarisation and grievance. Young and more vulnerable people were seen as being particularly at risk of becoming radicalised, with ease of access being a key contributor to the cases brought to NZSIS attention. The Service says the most plausible violent extremist scenario remains a lone actor who has been radicalised online. Chris Wilson is senior lecturer at University of Auckland, and is the programme director of the Master of Conflict and Terrorism Studies. Before joining the university he held professional roles in conflict analysis and prevention with the World Bank and United Nations. Photo: 123rf
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Terror threat level: NZ Security Intelligence Service spy agency warns Kiwis need to step up to combat terror
Another terrorist attack in New Zealand remains a realistic possibility and the country's intelligence service is concerned Kiwis underestimate how wide-ranging an attack's impact can be. These are among the main findings from the Security Intelligence Service's annual threat assessment report that details how global instability, persistent military conflict, geopolitical
