New Zealand at Risk of Foreign Interference: Intelligence Service Head

New Zealand at Risk of Foreign Interference: Intelligence Service Head
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to media during a press conference at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand on March 21, 2019. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
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WELLINGTON—New Zealand’s intelligence chief said on April 11 the agency was concerned about activities by foreign state actors, including attempts to covertly influence politicians and monitor expatriate communities living in the South Pacific nation.

Foreign interference in New Zealand elections was also possible as growing global attempts to interfere in national politics increased in sophistication, said Rebecca Kitteridge, service director of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service.