Active Efforts to Influence Democracy in New Zealand

Intelligence agencies in New Zealand claim there are active efforts to influence democracy through expat communities and political donations. A general inquiry is being held into the general and local elections by the MPs. They are considering foreign interference, like the 2016 US Presidential Election and Brexit as part of that.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said 'foreign spies' in Parliament couldn't be ruled out as that would breach high level intelligence briefings. Security Intelligence Service (SIS) head Rebecca Kitteridge refused to comment on the briefings that had been given to the ministers and the leader of the opposition. Kitteridge told the media that SIS was aware of efforts by 'foreign states' to 'covertly monitor or obtain influence' over expatriate communities in New Zealand. "What we do see is foreign interference activity in New Zealand from a range of actors, and that is through a range of vectors, including some concerns we have about political donations being made by state actors where the origin of those donations has been unclear."

The Justice Minister Andrew Little said the Parliament always needs to be alert to the possibility and risk of foreign interference. He said he was open to changing the law. This includes reassessing whether New Zealand needs foreign donations, and this depends on the findings of the inquiry. Little stressed that most MPs and candidates know the risk during campaigning, that they come under the influence of others.

New Zealand PM reiterated that New Zealand was 'not immune' to interference. She said it is important to make sure the country's laws are 'agile' and 'fit for purpose'.