New Zealand spy report calls China ‘a complex intelligence concern’

In an annual threat report, the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service said several countries were undertaking “malicious activity” on its shores, but called out China’s attempts as “complex and deceptive”.

“A small number of illiberal foreign states engage in foreign interference against as a tool for advancing their interests abroad,” it said noting that it can be difficult to draw conclusive links between the interference activity and the foreign state.

“New Zealand is not alone in facing the threat of foreign interference. It is a challenge, countries face globally, including in our region, as illiberal states try to take advantage of others’ size or openness,” it said.

The report, titled “New Zealand’s Security Threat Environment”, is released as part of a government shift to better inform New Zealanders about risks the country is facing, and comes as the government grapples with how to respond to a more complicated geopolitical environment.

Director General of Security Andrew Hampton said the assessment is about being as upfront as we can about the reality of national security threats but not to alarm anyone.