Countering foreign interference and espionage

On 27 November 2025, the Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Act 2025 was passed to strengthen New Zealand’s ability to respond to foreign interference and espionage.

To counter foreign interference and espionage, it is now an offence to:

• share military tactics, techniques, and procedures without proper authorisation;
• commit improper conduct on behalf of a foreign state or proxy to compromise a protected New Zealand interest;
• disclose other relevant information that could prejudice New Zealand’s security or defence; and
• commit any other imprisonable offence on behalf of a foreign power or proxy. 

These changes form part of a broader Government strategy to identify, disrupt, and deter interference activities, enhancing New Zealand’s resilience to foreign threats and ability to Safeguard Military Information.

What this means for veterans

All current and former members (including industry partners) of the NZDF have an enduring obligation to protect information from unauthorised disclosure beyond their service or employment.

Unauthorised sharing of this information could benefit an adversary and harm the national security or defence of New Zealand.

These updates better hold individuals to account for disclosing information that is likely to prejudice New Zealand’s security and defence.

Any person considering employment opportunities that involve the sharing of information and knowledge gained through their Service or employment with the NZDF should seek personal legal advice to ensure that they are acting lawfully.

Further details are on the Ministry of Justice website: Countering Foreign Interference(external link), translated versions are on the Ministry for Ethnic Communities’ website(external link), or you can read the Act here -  Crimes (Countering Foreign Interference) Amendment Act(external link)