• Military
• WMD

• Intelligence Menu               

• Systems
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Imagery
• Links

• Homeland Security
• Space

2025 NZSIS Security Threat Environment report

New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

August 21, 2025

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service has warned the country is facing one of the most challenging national security environments in recent times.

The NZSIS has just released its third annual Security Threat Environment report which outlines its assessment of violent extremism, foreign interference and espionage in New Zealand.

Director-General of Security Andrew Hampton said these threats need to be taken much more seriously than they are currently.

"Our threat environment is deteriorating and that has a direct impact on our safety and security.

"Increasing levels of polarisation and grievance are driving support for violent extremist ideologies and foreign states are more willing to target New Zealand organisations and communities in order to achieve their aims.

"These threats are worthy of greater attention. We are seeing active cases of young and vulnerable people being radicalised online, there are foreign states seeking to interfere with our democratic rights, and there is almost certainly undetected espionage activity targeting valuable intellectual property crucial to our future prosperity."

The Security Threat Environment report is written as an unclassified document by NZSIS analysts based on trends and investigations observed over the past 18 months. Real life case studies are used to highlight what the NZSIS has been managing, and threat information is paired with security advice for managing risk.

None of the concerning behaviours or activities described in this assessment should be accepted or tolerated, said Mr Hampton.

"If you see any of the activities described, it is important that you let us know through the NZSIS website.

"But there is a lot more people and organisations could be doing in the prevention space by looking out for early warning signs of violent extremism or by being more risk aware when it comes to foreign interference and espionage.

"It is a mistake to assume the NZSIS will automatically pick up on concerning activities. We are not all-seeing and all-knowing, and in a democratic society like ours nor should we be. In many cases the public will notice a threat before we do.

"We publish this assessment with the aim of spurring mature conversations within government, organisations and communities about how these threats might manifest in our environments, and how we can work together to identify and manage risk."

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