NZSIS Community Newsletter

Kia ora koutou,

Last week we released the third annual New Zealand's Security Threat Environment 2025 report, which outlines our assessment of violent extremism, foreign interference and espionage in New Zealand.

I was pleased with the widespread media coverage it received. The interest demonstrates how the conversation on national security has improved in recent years.

I am the first to admit that this report is not easy reading. Many of the behaviours and activities we describe are obviously troubling, but they are worthy of your attention.

For instance, we describe how increasing levels of polarisation and grievance is driving support for violent extremist ideologies. The report is frank about how young and vulnerable people are being radicalised online. There is a range of ideologies that motivates individuals toward violent extremism. However, no single ideology dominates.

On the foreign interference side, we explain the ways in which some foreign states target New Zealand organisations and communities and seek to interfere with our freedoms and democratic rights. We outline that there is almost certainly undetected espionage activity targeting valuable intellectual property crucial to our future prosperity.

The information presented in the report is backed up by real case studies, and it includes protective security advice to support you identify threats and manage risk.

None of what is described in this report should be accepted or tolerated. If you encounter any of the behaviours or activities, it is important that you let us know.

It is a mistake to assume the NZSIS will automatically pick up on threats. We are not an all-seeing and all-knowing agency, and in a democratic society like ours nor should we be.

In many cases the public will notice a threat before we do. We rely on information from the public to support our efforts to detect, deter, and disrupt threats.

I would encourage you to have conversations in your communities and organisations about how these threats might impact you, and work together to manage risk.

New Zealand's Security Threat Environment 2025 report is available to read online at www.nzsis.govt.nz/threat-assessment.

Ngā mihi nui,

Andrew Hampton
Director-General

Engagements

Talking foreign interference to over 300 people

Our Director-General Andrew Hampton was invited to speak at Ethnic Advantage 2025, an annual conference organised by the Ministry for Ethnic Communities (MEC).

During the panel discussion on foreign interference, Andrew highlighted the role and functions of the NZSIS, clarified what foreign interference was, and explained the work the agency was doing to foster trust and confidence through engagement with New Zealanders.

Over 300 attendees tuned in for the main panel discussion. A workshop led by our Director of Operations and Capabilities took place later in the day, prompting a deeper conversation on foreign interference followed by a Q&A session. Read more on MEC's website.

NZSIS supports launch of new product to help counter online violent extremism

In late July our Engagement Manager spoke at the launch of Headspace Invaders, an online initiative developed by Netsafe in partnership with Youthline.

Headspace Invaders is an interactive platform that helps young people build confidence and critical thinking skills when navigating online content. The platform includes three short modules on misinformation and disinformation, identity-based harm, and online extremism.

'Know the signs' (PDF, 2.4 MB) is referenced in the section discussing violent extremism.

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