Foreign Interference: How to prepare for the inevitable
Published from the Newsroom
As the battle against foreign interference moves out of the shadows and into the spotlight, our spy agencies have provided high-profile professions with advice on how to stay out of trouble with potential state agents
Politicians and academics have been warned to guard against foreign agents seeking to exploit their connections and research, as New Zealand’s intelligence agencies ramp up their campaign against foreign interference.
The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Security Intelligence Service and Government Communications Security Bureau have released new guidance for the high-risk professions in a bid to ensure they do not succumb to any improper approaches.
The guidance for members of Parliament and local body politicians warns that “not every foreign state actor who seeks to engage with you will have benign intentions”, and names diplomats, academics, lobbyists and journalists as among the potential proxies for foreign interference and espionage.
Foreign state actors would be “interested in your ability to steer policy-making, especially when it may relate to their country”, and value inside knowledge “such as points of tension, split opinions, or off-the-record views held by fellow politicians or personal contacts”.
Politicians are cautioned about efforts “to gain undue influence and leverage” over them, with the document warning: “Engaging in inappropriate activities, even if they are not illegal in New Zealand, could leave you vulnerable to coercion.”
They are warned that “some grassroots, independent organisations who say they represent local communities may not be what they seem” and could be acting as a front for foreign agents, and asked to consider whether someone who has contacted them is “showing an unusual or sustained level of interest in you, your work, or your colleagues”.
They are told to take a “trusted colleague” with them when meeting somebody new, as that could act as a deterrent to foreign intelligence officers, and carry out due diligence on any offers of donations, gifts or other favours.
The guidelines warn that politicians should “consider any system with an internet connection as vulnerable to the most capable attackers”, with the communications of staff, family and friends also susceptible to being targeted.
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