New Zealand's intelligence agencies conveyed on Thursday their concerns to parliament's Justice Select Committee about the alleged attempts of foreign interference in the country's affairs through political donations of unclear origin and influence on expatriate diasporas
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 11th April, 2019) New Zealand's intelligence agencies conveyed on Thursday their concerns to parliament's Justice Select Committee about the alleged attempts of foreign interference in the country's affairs through political donations of unclear origin and influence on expatriate diasporas.
The hearing at the committee was attended by Head of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) Rebecca Kitteridge and the chief of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), Andrew Hampton.
"The impact of perceived or actual foreign interference in our democracy is potentially serious ... I can say that we have seen activities by state actors that concern us ... Motivated state actors are adept at finding weaknesses or 'grey areas' to help them to covertly build and project influence," Kitteridge said at the meeting, as quoted by the NZSIS website.
The intelligence chief said that politically oriented donations, in particular, may be used as a basis for espionage and interference through the sense of reciprocity they can create.
"Political donations are a legally sanctioned form of participation in New Zealand politics. However, NZSIS becomes concerned when some aspect of the donation is obscured or is channelled in a way that prevents scrutiny of the origin of the donation," Kitteridge added.
The NZSIS chief noted that foreign interference could also come through diaspora communities, which may preserve ties abroad and fall under the influence of their families.
"Foreign language media is another way through which expatriate communities or diaspora populations can be influenced or mobilised towards particular issues, including issues relevant to elections," Kitteridge added.
The intelligence chiefs reassured the committee that no significant meddling in the last general election had been detected.
Kitteridge, however, stressed that the country had to stay vigilant as "interference in New Zealand's elections by a state actor was, and remains, plausible."
Justice Minister Andrew Little, in turn, told the Stuff news portal that the committee might consider adjusting the country's legislation to adequately meet the challenges.
"My sense is that all members of the House ... are concerned about the heightened possibility that these things could happen or could be happening. And I think there is a genuine willingness to make sure our laws are the best they possibly can be," the minister was quoted as saying by the news portal.
The intelligence chiefs did not mention any particular state in connection with their report.
