NZSIS shares more case studies in release of annual threat environment report

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) has released its annual Security Threat Environment report, with updated assessments on the nature of foreign interference, espionage and violent extremism in New Zealand.

The second annual release of the report features more case studies to illustrate the current range of threats observed by the NZSIS.

Director-General of Security Andrew Hampton said the release of last year’s unclassified report was a significant step in raising awareness, and this year’s edition goes even further.

“Our independent assessment is about being as upfront as we can about the reality of national security threats facing our country. The point is not to alarm anyone but to alert New Zealanders to the threats so that we can work together to manage them,” he said.

“In recent years there has been considerably more public discussion around topics such as foreign interference and violent extremism, which is why our annual assessment is so important. We aim to provide an upfront and factual basis to this ongoing national conversation.”

There is a focus in the assessment on highlighting common behaviours and activities associated with foreign interference, espionage and violent extremism in New Zealand. 

A number of real-world case studies are included in the analysis from recent investigations that lift the lid on the range of national security threats observed by the NZSIS.

The report contains links to relevant protective security advice to help people and organisations take steps to increase their resilience to these threats. There is also advice on how to respond after witnessing any concerning behaviours or activities.

“When we all understand what’s happening and some of the motivations that lie behind these activities, everyone can be better prepared to manage the risks, whether you are a member of a community, business owner or an elected official” Andrew Hampton said.

“This report contains insights anyone can use. It can support sound decision-making or even help someone ask the right questions such as “what might this threat look like in our community” or “what does this mean for our business or organisation?”

Key points from New Zealand’s Security Threat Environment 2024: an assessment by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service include:

• New Zealand’s unique place and role in the Pacific can make us vulnerable to the activities of other states striving for influence and position throughout the region;
• A small number of foreign states conduct interference and espionage in and against New Zealand and New Zealanders. These states seek to disrupt the rights of New Zealanders, including their right to freedom of expression;
• There are consequences for New Zealand’s national security from intentional or unintentional harm caused by people in positions of trust in public or private organisations. The harm could come through acts of espionage, unauthorised disclosure of information, the loss or degradation of a resource or capability, or in extreme cases acts of terrorism;
• The most likely terrorist attack scenario in New Zealand is a lone actor, acting with little to no intelligence forewarning; and
• There are a small number of people who subscribe to a range of known violent extremist ideologies. Increasingly, we also see individuals whom we assess to support violence from a mixed, unstable, or unclear ideological outlook.